The £2.4 million cycle street on Adams Road in Cambridge, which was hailed as the first of its kind in England, could be ripped up and returned to its former state, the head of the organisation behind it has admitted. The scheme, which gives priority to bikes over vehicles, has been criticized for being a 'vanity project' and not addressing the real issues of potholes and uneven pavements in the city.
A controversial £2.4 million ' cycle street ' where bikes are given priority over vehicles in Cambridge could be ripped up and returned to its former state, the head of the organisation behind it has admitted.
The scheme on Adams Road was hailed as the first of its kind in England, claiming to have improved safety for cyclists and pedestrians by removing on-road parking, reconfiguring junctions to slow traffic, raising crossings and widening footpaths. However, critics have questioned the investment, pointing out that there had been only two reported collisions involving a cyclist in the past seven years, with one classified as slight and the other deemed serious.
Detractors also asked why the money couldn't be spent fixing potholes and pointed out similar schemes wouldn't work on narrower, more dangerous roads. Brian Milnes, the chairman of the Greater Cambridge Partnership, revealed the future of the cycle street depended on a trial period and a consultation with residents. He said the scheme was experimental in nature and would be reviewed to ensure it was working effectively.
If deemed a success, the cycle street could be replicated in other areas, but if not, it would be returned to its former state or modified for a better solution. The consultation is expected to last at least a year, and it is not yet clear how the £2.4 million was spent. The money came from the 2014 Greater Cambridge City Deal, which restricted where the funds could be spent and did not include road improvements.
The cycle street was needed, according to Mr Milnes, because of the increasing congestion in the city due to a huge increase in housing and business growth. He previously stated that the cycle street was needed because there had been too many stories of cyclists being knocked off their bikes and car doors suddenly opening into their path, while elderly and vulnerable residents had to step into the road to get around bins and parked cars.
However, critics have pointed out that the measures on Adams Road would 'never work' in less wealthy areas where homeowners don't have off-street parking. Driver Bob Heath, who was visiting a friend in the area, said: 'What about all the terraced houses on narrow roads in Cambridge? This would never work there. It's fine if you can afford one of these places though.
' A pedestrian, who gave his name as Ian, commented: 'I've never seen anyone knocked off their bike down here. It used to be a normal road, with cars parked on either side. Cars and bikes had to go pretty slowly because there wasn't much space.
' Frazer Merritt, 44, who is originally from Wisconsin in the US, questioned why money was being spent on 'vanity projects' like Adams Road instead of fixing potholes and uneven pavements. He said: 'My mum is 82 years old and can only walk a block at most. It's difficult pushing her around Cambridge because many of the sidewalks and roads are in a pretty bad state. There's been several instances where she's had to stop and get out...
I would challenge any council member to spend a day in a wheelchair and see how difficult it is to get around.
' The cycle street on Adams Road in Cambridge was hailed as the first of its kind in England, but critics have questioned the investment and pointed out that similar schemes wouldn't work on narrower, more dangerous roads. The future of the cycle street depends on a trial period and a consultation with residents, and it is not yet clear how the £2.4 million was spent.
The money came from the 2014 Greater Cambridge City Deal, which restricted where the funds could be spent and did not include road improvements. The cycle street was needed, according to Mr Milnes, because of the increasing congestion in the city due to a huge increase in housing and business growth.
However, critics have pointed out that the measures on Adams Road would 'never work' in less wealthy areas where homeowners don't have off-street parking. Driver Bob Heath, who was visiting a friend in the area, said: 'What about all the terraced houses on narrow roads in Cambridge? This would never work there. It's fine if you can afford one of these places though.
' A pedestrian, who gave his name as Ian, commented: 'I've never seen anyone knocked off their bike down here. It used to be a normal road, with cars parked on either side. Cars and bikes had to go pretty slowly because there wasn't much space.
' Frazer Merritt, 44, who is originally from Wisconsin in the US, questioned why money was being spent on 'vanity projects' like Adams Road instead of fixing potholes and uneven pavements. He said: 'My mum is 82 years old and can only walk a block at most. It's difficult pushing her around Cambridge because many of the sidewalks and roads are in a pretty bad state. There's been several instances where she's had to stop and get out...
I would challenge any council member to spend a day in a wheelchair and see how difficult it is to get around
Cycle Street Cambridge Controversy Investment Potholes Uneven Pavements Greater Cambridge Partnership Brian Milnes Adams Road Consultation Trial Period
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