Ahead of improvements starting on Cowley Road, we’ve put together some FAQs to help residents understand why we’re delivering these improvements, and what the project involves.
We will construct a 4m wide, bi-directional cyclepath and a 2m wide footpath along the eastern side of Cowley Road from the walking and cycling bridge over the A14 in the north, to the exit junction with Milton Road near the Milton Road entrance to the Science Park.
On the road, we will install traffic calming to make it safer for everyone, particularly at junctions.
Double-yellow lines, approved in August 2022, will be installed ahead of works starting. There will be no on-street parking during or after the works. A link to the Traffic Regulation Order made for the double yellow lines can be found here: https://streets.appyway.com/cambridge
The works are planned to begin in late May 2024 and last until early October 2024. We will update local business once a start date and expected duration is confirmed.
Construction is proposed to take place in phases: starting in the southern section of Cowley Road (where the junction meets with Milton Road) before continuing north up Cowley Road towards the A14 walking and cycling bridge.
Vehicular access will be maintained at all times and at no point will the road be closed.
Cowley Road will remain open in both directions for most of the works, and access to businesses will be maintained throughout the duration of construction of the scheme. The width of the road means that all motor vehicles will be able travel in both directions. A temporary protected path will be provided for people walking or cycling while the main path is rebuilt. There may be temporary use of traffic lights while work on junctions takes place, as well as in instances where pedestrians and cyclists are required to cross the road or are required to be diverted around road works. Traffic lights will also be used during limited overnight works where the road may be restricted to one-lane working only.
The Traffic Regulation Order for double-yellow lines along Cowley Road (approved in August 2022) will be put into effect at the end of May, with double-yellow lines being laid during the first week of construction. A map showing the double yellow lines and the Traffic Regulation Order is available here: https://streets.appyway.com/cambridge
Advanced warning signs will be placed along the verge two weeks prior to work starting. Letters to promote the scheme will also be delivered to properties in the immediate area, as well as placed online.
We are coordinating our construction activity with developers of St John’s Innovation Centre and Merlin Place to minimise disruption.
A slight cut back of the trees and bushes aligning the shared use path on Cowley Road will be undertaken. This will be done under ecologist supervision to ensure no impact to nesting birds.
The Waterbeach Greenway is one of twelve greenways being proposed and constructed within Greater Cambridge to provide better and safer walking, wheeling and cycling routes between Cambridge and surrounding villages, with provision for horse-riding wherever possible.
The proposals for the Waterbeach Greenway, which was consulted on between October and December last year, seeks to connect Waterbeach with Cambridge via Milton and the walking and cycling bridge over the A14.
Subject to public consultation and agreement from landowners, the Waterbeach Greenway scheme would consist of a route starting on Cambridge Road in Waterbeach before continuing on a new 5m wide greenway along land behind Car Dyke Road and the A10 as far as Ely Road. The greenway then continues through Milton village and links to the walking and cycling bridge over the A14 to join upgraded paths and cycle-tracks on Cowley Road. The scheme will connect with Cambridge North railway station and the Chisholm Trail.
Subject to a decision being made following our recent consultation, the full Waterbeach Greenway could be constructed in 2026. Some sections of the greenway are being built sooner.
Cowley Road was consulted on in 2018. It is being upgraded to provide more room for walking and cycling, and has been selected for early delivery.
To improve safety, traffic calming measures will be implemented along Cowley Road from the A14 walking and cycling bridge up to its bend next to Milton Road.
1) Retainment of 20mph speed limit and speed humps:
We will introduce smooth, sinusoidal speed humps along Cowley Road to reinforce the 20mph speed limit. This will make Cowley Road easier to cross, safer to walk and cycle alongside, and safer to drive on.
Street lighting will be enhanced to improve visibility.
2) Double yellow lines:
Double yellow lines will be introduced along the length of Cowley Road between the traffic-light-controlled crossing where it meets with Milton Road and the walking and cycling bridge over the A14.
Double yellow lines will prevent problem parking, which can cause visibility issues, reducing safety for everyone.
A Traffic Regulation Order was previously issued, advertised and approved for Cowley Road to provide double-yellow lines along the extent of the scheme, approved in August 2022.
3) Narrowing the road:
The road will be narrowed to allow space for a segregated footway and cycleway along its eastern side, and act as a traffic-calming measure. As a result, the road will be slower and safer for everyone while also being quicker and easier to cross.
4) Junction tightening and raised tables:
Junction tightening will occur at two locations on Cowley Road: at the T junction lading to Milton Road and at the Innovation Park’s southern vehicle entrance.
Junction tightening will reduce the width of the junction that allows vehicles to travel north up Cowley Road by repositioning the existing island crossing. This has been designed to accommodate the widening of the footway and cycleway along the eastern side of Cowley Road.
Junction tightening at the St John’s Innovation Park’s southern entrance will also support safer speeds and easier crossings for people walking or cycling. Situated immediately north of this side road junction will be a raised table crossing point, providing a priority crossing point for people walking or cycling.
Junction tightening is a widespread practice that makes sure people turning take caution and travel at an appropriate speed, therefore enhancing safety. Raised tables are also used to slow vehicles and create an easier crossing for people walking, enhancing safety. Both practices promote the following:
- support safer speeds,
- make crossings more accessible, and
- support the new Highway Code, which requires drivers to yield to people crossing side roads.
The measures will create a much safer, more pleasant environment along Cowley Road by slowing traffic.
Speed limit retainment and sinusoidal speed humps: 20mph Zones (a speed limit and traffic calming features) are well-established as being significantly safer for all, particularly for people walking and cycling. It will mean:
- A safer, calmer and quieter road to walk alongside or cross.
- A safer space for people of all abilities to feel more comfortable cycling.
- A safer road to drive along with people able to react and brake more quickly, reducing the chances of collisions and their severity.
Double-yellow lines, parking and loading restrictions: These help to improve visibility along the road by preventing people parking where it blocks the view or reduces visibility at bends, junctions or on narrow sections of road. Cowley Road will be narrowed to two lanes and thus parking would prohibit movement of large vehicles.
Junction tightening and raised tables: Junction tightening reduces the speeds of vehicles, especially with regards to their turning movements. Raised tables make drivers slow down, making crossing the road safer and easier. They also provide priority for people walking and cycling to cross the road.
Road narrowing: Provides space for the new footway and cycleway along the eastern side of Cowley Road. Less road space for vehicles encourages drivers to slow down.
Two public consultations have taken place so far for the Waterbeach Greenway:
1. Autumn – Winter 2018 (15th October 2018 to 3rd December 2018)
This consultation provided supportive feedback for the Waterbeach Greenway’s original alignment, including Cowley Road. Further design work on the route was approved by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) Executive Board in 2020. However, this original alignment would have been very difficult to deliver. As a result, this led to a change in the proposed alignment north of the cycling and walking bridge over the A14 and a second consultation.
2. Autumn – Winter 2023 (16th October 2023 – 8th December 2023)
This consultation focused on a new alignment linking Waterbeach, Milton and the walking and cycling bridge over the A14. Cowley Road was consulted on previously, which means it is not necessary to resubmit the scheme to further public consultation.
Improvements to the existing signalised crossing over the bend of Cowley Road will be implemented from 2026 and will link to the walking and cycling improvements being made to Milton Road.
Cowley Road was not included in the 2023 consultation, having been consulted on in 2018. In 2023 we consulted on a proposed new alignment north of the A14 (between Milton and Waterbeach). A report of the consultation will be presented to our Joint Assembly and Executive Board for a decision on how to proceed later in 2024.
Traffic Regulation Orders are legal documents that regulate how parking and movement is managed on the public highway, including changes to yellow lines, speed limits and traffic calming. Before they are advertised to the public, we consult in detail with the emergency services. Once advertised, anyone can make a representation to the County Council about the proposals by writing to the advertised email address or postal address. They will then be considered and responded to when a decision is reached.
A sinusoidal speed hump is a round topped hump that extends the width of the carriageway. Sinusoidal speed humps are designed to be quieter than flat topped speed humps and provide more comfort for people cycling.
A 20mph without traffic calming is not self-enforcing. Therefore, it is important that traffic calming is put in place as it provides the safest possible streets. Traffic calming will help more people to feel more comfortable walking or cycling along Cowley Road.