Upper Duke Street artists’ impression
Cambridge cycleways have contributed to the town’s congestion, the council’s Strategic Planning and Policy Committee has heard.
Thumbs up for bike skills, from left: Kana Coley, Will Joyce, Frankie and Billy McIntyre and Diamond Martin at the Bicycle Revolution Cambridge bike skills session at Cambridge East Primary School. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Cambridge Community Board chair Charlotte FitzPatrick wrote to last week’s committee to comment on the Cambridge Connections Transport Plan.
Charlotte FitzPatrick
“Feedback from the community on the problem statements has highlighted concerns about rapid growth, as well as previous council planning that is impacting residents today,” FitzPatrick said in her statement read by deputy mayor Jo Davies-Colley.
“For example, cycleway placement, road closures, and speed calming measures have worsened congestion, and there is a strong view in our community that this has already impacted the town’s character, parking availability, and the economic viability of the town centre. We want to stress that, on behalf of the community, we cannot afford to wait for logical, practical solutions while developing this business case.”
FitzPatrick said while many comments related directly to the Cambridge Connections business case and problem statements the community has would continue to raise issues that fall outside the project scope.
Jo Davies-Colley
“Matters that could be addressed through shorter-term work programmes, quick wins, or basic customer service requests,” she said.
“It is essential that these pieces of feedback are not lost and that there is a transparent process for recording, categorising and actioning them appropriately and in a timely manner.
FitzPatrick said the next stage of the project was crucial and the board would work to ensure genuine engagement with the community.
“The general feeling in our community is that this project is well overdue, and while data is necessary to help build the business case, we need to ensure momentum as much as possible and avoid unnecessary delays.”
