Milton Road - Bus, Cycling and Walking Improvements Project

June 2023 update

Welcome to June’s monthly update on Milton Road. Today marks the one-year anniversary of works starting on the project. So as well as looking at what’s coming up over the next few weeks, and providing an update on the project, we would also like to share with you what has been achieved in the last 12 months

Mitcham’s Corner
The eastern section from Mitcham’s corner to just south of Gilbert Road is now open. All works, aside from white lining, are now complete. We anticipate works will move over to the western side of the road for this section around the middle/end of July.

Bus stops
As work on the project carries on, we will need to move the locations of the bus stops on Milton Road. The table below gives an update on the current situation. By the nature of the work, these will be subject to change as work progresses and we will continue to let you know what changes are happening to the bus stops.

The following bus services are currently stopping on Milton Road:

• Milton P&R (PR5) stopping at: P&R, Science Park, Kendal Way (southbound stop moved to 398 Milton Rd), Fraser Rd, Downham's Lane (southbound stop moved to 280 Milton Rd), Union Lane (southbound stop suspended), Ascham Rd, Westbrook Centre (southbound stop moved to Herbert St. and northbound stop moved to Cambridge Manor Care Home)                                               

• Number 9 stopping at: Science Park, Kendal Way (southbound stop moved to 398 Milton Rd), Fraser Rd, Downham's Lane (southbound stop moved to 280 Milton Rd), Union Lane (southbound stop suspended), Ascham Rd, Westbrook Centre (southbound stop moved to Herbert St. and northbound stop moved to Cambridge Manor Care Home)               

• B the busway stopping at: Westbrook Centre (southbound stop moved to Herbert St. and northbound stop moved to Cambridge Manor Care Home)      

• 4A – only stopping at Kendal Way (southbound stop moved to 398 Milton Rd), service once a day.

• Number 2 stopping at: P&R. Cambs - driving test centre, Cambs North, Cambs - driving test centre, Chesterton - Milton Rd 

• Number 1 -Westbrook Centre southbound stop suspended; passengers advised to get off at Gurney Way

Highworth Avenue/Elizabeth Way roundabout
Works on the south-east quadrant of the roundabout have, for the time being, finished with new drainage and kerbs having been installed. Attention has now switched to the north-west quadrant, with similar works being carried out as to those on the north-east and south-east quadrants. In addition, the northern half of the Highworth Avenue junction will begin to be constructed, with the junction being built in two halves using narrow lanes while maintaining two-way traffic.

We ask all pedestrians using the roundabout to follow the diversion route in place. Please note that at times the diversion route may be subject to change, to accommodate works, so please ensure you follow the on-site signage displayed.

Once the tarmac surfacing has been completed on the north-west section, works will move to the south-west section of the roundabout. In order to carry this out we will need to close Highworth Avenue to work on small section where we cannot maintain two-way traffic past the workers. This will be for as short as possible, however this will be subject to any unforeseen circumstances. As soon as works in this section are complete, we will re-open the road and continue activity in the south-west section. Prior to the closure, the planters on Highworth Avenue will be removed so vehicles can be diverted via Leys Road. Access for residents from Highworth Avenue onto Milton Road by foot & cycle will be maintained throughout the closure.

Herbert Street
Works are continuing at Herbert Street and we will shortly be switching to construct the second half of the junction. Access will continue to be maintained via traffic lights.

Gas works
Gas works from north of Union Lane to Downham’s lane are currently underway. A gas mains pipe is being moved so it does not interfere with the existing and new trees in the area as they grow, future-proofing the scheme for years to come. Works are due to last until approximately the end of August 2023.

The decision was made, after careful consideration, to bring forward the planned Cadent Gas works, previously scheduled for the six-week school holiday, to allow both phase 1 and phase 2 to be carried out together to reduce pressure on the road network and cut the time it would take to carry out the gas diversion. By doing works at the same time it minimises any further disruption caused in the longer term. The below diagrams outline how works will progress as of next week, Monday 3 July.

Initial works commenced on Monday 26 June, which included trial holes and prep for the full implementation of traffic management on Monday 3 July. This was completed earlier than expected so to minimise disruption, the four-way lights have been removed as the remaining works this week do not require them. Once redeployed on 3 July, the lights will remain in place for the duration of the works in each section as shown below.

Science Park
We recommenced footway widening works at the Science Park on Monday 19 June. Our remaining works including a retaining structure to support and protect a shallow gas main that was previously located during our prior works in the area. We are also going to relocate the existing traffic signal poles and install new streetlighting columns to the rear of the footway. Once this is complete, we will finish the area off with a final layer of tarmac. It is anticipated that our works will take around four to five weeks, depending on what we find and on third party works.

Footpath and cycle lane update
From the north of Union Lane to Cook Close, the pedestrian walkway and cycle lane are now open for use. The final surfacing from Union Lane to the Milton Arms is yet to be laid and is scheduled to be completed at a later date. The section between Fraser Road and south of Cook Close is now complete, with works between Milton Arms and Fraser Road having not yet started. Works will now switch to the western side with remaining works on these eastern sections to be completed later on in the programme.

Completed section between Fraser Road and south of Cook Close

Works to date
Since works started the team have:

• Excavated approximately 5600 tonnes of earth, which is roughly the same weight as 451 double decker buses;
• Redirected and/or diverted approximately 500m of utilities, as well as installing eight new BT Overhead Poles and adjusting around 40 utility chambers;
• Laid around 3000m of new kerb line along the length of the scheme – that’s the same length as 60 Olympic swimming pools;
• Constructed roughly 950m of new footway and cycleway;
• Planted 43 trees along Milton Road, with a further 14 planned to go before the end of June;
• Created 1200m of new linear drainage channels.

We would like to thank you all for your patience while we have been carrying out works over the last year. We appreciate works have been disruptive but, once complete, Milton Road will benefit from significantly improved active travel infrastructure and bus facilities, making it a more welcoming environment for those who live and/or travel in the area.

Drop In Session
The next monthly drop-in session will be Monday 3rd July 11:00 – 12:00 at Milton Road library. Please do note this is a drop-in session and visitors are encouraged to free up space for those coming in.

If you have any concerns during the construction, please do get in touch with Milestone’s project team on MiltonRoad@milestoneinfra.co.uk or telephone the 24 hour contact centre on 0800 023 4762