In papers published on Monday 10 February for the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) joint assembly, new proposals are being put forward to help people using Burrell’s Walk and ensure those using the Fulbourn Greenway can get into the city quicker.
New proposals for Burrell's Walk and Fulbourn Greenway
Burrell’s Walk – a busy thoroughfare for pedestrians and cyclists linking the centre of Cambridge to the University Library and Cambridge West – has been recommended for new investment and upgrades.
The latest estimates show that 2,500 cyclists use the mainly offroad route every day, but the current bridge over Bin Brook is very narrow, measuring 1.7m wide inside the handrails. This means there is limited space for pedestrians and cyclists to pass each other, posing safety issues for both user groups.
A number of local community groups and councillors have highlighted this area as a place which could be improved so the proposal is to include upgrades to Burrell’s Walk as part of the Comberton Greenway, which is one of twelve routes intended to make active travel in Greater Cambridge safer and easier. The proposal would involve constructing a new, widened bridge over Bin Brook to facilitate easier, safer passage along Burrell’s Walk for pedestrians and cyclists.
Thomas Fitzpatrick, head of programme at the GCP said: “Burrell’s Walk is already used by thousands of pedestrians and cyclists every day and there are regularly bottlenecks on the bridge that put pedestrians and cyclists at risk. The 1.7m width of the bridge is well below the recommended width for a bridge shared by walkers and cyclists – and the number of users is set to increase when Comberton Greenway opens.
“That’s why we’re proposing a new, wider bridge over Bin Brook as part of our greenways programme, which supports local aspirations for a safer crossing that reduces congestion on the bridge. By adding the bridge to the 150km network of greenways, we’re able to deliver long overdue improvements to this well-used and much-loved active travel route.”
The concept of a new, widened bridge will be presented to the GCP joint assembly meeting on Thursday 20 February and will go to the GCP’s executive board, where local authority and industry representatives will make a final decision on whether to progress with the proposal.
Also in the papers, officers are proposing making changes to the final section of the Fulbourn Greenway as it comes into the city to help people reach Cambridge railway station. The new proposals will seek permission from the executive board to work with key partners and local stakeholders to develop a new alignment using part of Mill Road.
Phase 3 of the 5.5km route linking Fulbourn to central Cambridge is currently proposed to run from the A1134 (Brooks Road) junction to Greville Road, where it will tie in with the Chisholm Trail phase 2. This alignment uses the existing active travel network but is not direct, has a number of pinchpoints between residential properties, and would require the purchase of private land.
This section was originally designed before the implementation of the Mill Road railway bridge 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.
To keep up to date with developments on the Comberton and Fulbourn greenways, please visit www.greatercambridge.org.uk/greenways.