March 2024
Welcome to our third update on the Greater Cambridge greenways. Twelve routes that will make it safer and easier to travel under your own steam between Cambridge and our surrounding villages and towns.
In this issue we have an update on the network, as well as the Haslingfield, Fulbourn, Waterbeach, Comberton and Horningsea greenways.
Image credit John Sutton
Minimising the impact of rising costs on our greenways
At its last meeting (Thursday 4 January), the executive board approved the greenways programme business case. This is an important document that sets out why we need the greenways, what they will mean for our area, and why we should invest in them. This is a key part of the GCP governance process ensuring that political approval is in place to develop the whole network.
The past few years have been challenging as costs have increased significantly, but our budget is still the same. In our last update we covered how our executive board agreed to pause some of our smaller greenway schemes to keep costs manageable. We can still afford, however, to deliver well over 90% of the original network, including widening the ever-popular genome path (pictured) as part of the Sawston Greenway.
Work is well underway across all 12 routes with most of the Linton Greenway delivered and the Horningsea Greenway not far behind. We now have fully committed the funds, the people, and our work with communities across our region to complete the network.
Thomas Fitzpatrick, Head of GCP programme
Fulbourn Greenway Phase 1 overview map
Fulbourn and Haslingfield take steps forward
Our executive board decided to progress development of phase 1 of the Fulbourn Greenway and the Haslingfield Greenway route through Grantchester on Thursday 4 January. This follows our report on your feedback received last summer.
On the Fulbourn Greenway, we will look to amend some designs, including reviewing the junction of Teversham Road and traffic calming proposals under phase one.
We are working with Network Rail to bring Phase 2 (the western phase of the route) – from Yarrow Road to the Carter Railway Bridge – to public engagement later this year.
The Haslingfield Greenway through Grantchester will go ahead. But we will work with the Parish Council in further developing the proposals for the Coton Road, Broadway and High Street junction and ensure designs protect the character of the village. We’ll also further explore access for horse riders at the bridge over the M11 on this route
Waterbeach consultation closes: what next?
We received over 400 detailed survey responses as well as formal responses from a range of organisations. We are now analysing these to see what you supported, had concerns about or gave ideas and suggestions for the route.
We will then work with local stakeholders to incorporate the feedback, wherever possible, into final design proposals. We aim to present these to our joint assembly and executive board in November, who will decide the next steps.
Comberton Greenway moves ahead
Our executive board, with the support of the parish council and local councillors, approved a legal document – called a Traffic Regulation Order – for Comberton.
This is the green light for work on the 20mph zone and associated traffic calming to make Barton Road in Comberton safer for everyone.
We installed a new walking and cycling crossing outside Comberton Village College in December and two junctions were upgraded in January and February.
At the other end of the greenway in the city, our board agreed to develop new plans for the Sidgwick Avenue area as part of later phases of the greenway.
Work continues with landowners and stakeholders on designs for the sections between Comberton, Hardwick, Coton and the city.
Trees planted on Horningsea Greenway
We planted five new trees alongside Horningsea Road as part of the greenway scheme. The native Horse Chestnuts will provide a contribution to wildlife and some added shade, shelter and a barrier from the wind that whips across the fields.
Work like this is part of our updated strategy for plants, ponds and puddles among other things in our new Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy. The approach is with our joint assembly and executive board for review.
Image Credit Diamond Geexer (Flickr)
Flooding on the busway path
We are aware the wet weather has brought with it further flooding along the St Ives Greenway busway path in the Swavesey and Fen Drayton area. Our flood monitoring stations continue to keep an eye on the situation. In summer, we will start to analyse the data, which will give us a fuller picture of the highly complicated situation so our engineers can consider options to better protect the route.
Greenway works at a glance
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Horningsea – path widening and resurfacing works are temporarily paused to resume after works carried out by Cambridgeshire County Council finish in the village.
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Comberton – works at side-roads and junctions along the Barton Road will continue until July for the Comberton Greenway.
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Barton – after allowing time for the water-logged verges in the area to dry out, works are set to start in April on the Barton Road pathway starting at Haggis Farm and working towards Cambridge. Find out more about the designs for this section.
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Linton – detailed design work to the Newmarket Road section from Bourn Bridge Road to Granta Park is ongoing with construction works planned for July 2024 to coincide the school holidays.
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Melbourn – we have paused work in Foxton while we review feedback on the proposals. A number of other schemes are being brought forward on this greenway – find out more.
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Waterbeach – we are conducting local engagement on the Cowley Road ahead of works to improve the walking and cycling paths.
Elsewhere the greenways continue with design development, land negotiations and the preparation of planning applications and other legal orders to deliver the routes.
For any questions on live construction projects, contact our contractors Milestone Infrastructure directly via email: greenways@milestoneinfra.co.uk or phone: 0800 0281 363.
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