The Greater Cambridge Partnership’s (GCP) Executive Board has approved a new, widened bridge for Burrell’s Walk, a busy thoroughfare for pedestrians and cyclists linking the centre of Cambridge to the University Library and Cambridge West.

At a meeting on Wednesday 19 March, members also agreed changes to the final section of the Fulbourn Greenway, using part of Mill Road.

The new bridge on Burrell’s Walk will allow over 2,500 cyclists who use the route each day to pass on a new, widened bridge over Bin Brook, facilitating easier, safer passage along Burrell’s Walk for pedestrians and cyclists alike.

A number of local community groups and councillors have highlighted this area as a place which could be improved, and have welcomed this development:

Cllr Elisa Meschini, chair of the GCP said:

“It’s brilliant that the new, wider bridge over Bin Brook has been approved. Burrell’s Walk is used by thousands of people every day and there are regularly bottlenecks on the bridge which put pedestrians and cyclists at risk. By adding the bridge to the 150km network of greenways, we’re able to deliver long overdue improvements to this much-loved route making it safer and more enjoyable for those who use it.”

The GCP Executive Board has also agreed to work with key partners and local stakeholders to develop a new alignment for the Fulbourn Greenway using part of Mill Road.

Phase 3 of the 5.5km route linking Fulbourn to central Cambridge had been proposed to run from the A1134 (Brooks Road) junction to Greville Road, where it would tie in with the Chisholm Trail Phase 2. This alignment used the existing active travel network but was not direct, and had a number of pinch points between residential properties and would require the purchase of private land.

This section was originally designed before the implementation of the Mill Road bus gate – so had previously been discounted due to high levels of through traffic, which combined with high number of pedestrians and cyclists, contributes to significant congestion. Following the recent changes made by Cambridgeshire County Council, an alignment using Mill Road is now viable, and is now approved by the GCP Executive board.

To keep up to date with developments on the Comberton and Fulbourn greenways, please visit www.greatercambridgeshire.org.uk