City Access response to Covid-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION

GCP is working with Cambridgeshire County Council to make it easier for people to walk and cycle around Greater Cambridge during the Covid-19 pandemic. We also want to support social distancing.

We introduced a series of experimental traffic management schemes in August 2020 (Tranche 1 Phase 1). This followed discussions with local councillors, the University of Cambridge and its colleges and local businesses. The schemes closed various streets to through motor traffic. Tranche 1 Phase 2 started on 20 January 2021. Tranche 2 starts later in 2021.

The experimental traffic restrictions can be in place for a maximum of 18 months. During the first six months of the trial, anyone can comment on this measure or object to making the experiment permanent. You can make other comments at any time during the trial.

Tranche 1 schemes (Phase 1)

The County Council made regulation orders for Tranche 1 Phase 1 on 29 July 2020. You can find the details in the table below. There are also leaflets that you can download.

To get feedback and help us make a final decision about the schemes, we carried out a six-week consultation on the effects of the measures. The consultation ran from 9 November to 18 December 2020. If you wish to make any further comments, please email contactus@greatercambridge.org.uk or call 01223 699906.

Tranche 1 schemes (Newtown Phase 2)

On 6 January 2021 the County Council made an experimental traffic order for a second series of measures in the Newtown area. We installed these on 20 January 2021. For details see the table below along with the information leaflet. A map showing the measures is on the right.

During the first 6 months of the Phase 2 trial period, until 6 July 2021, you can make a formal objection to any part of the measures being made permanent. During this time, we also welcome other comments on the experimental measures. Please email these to contactus@greatercambridge.org.uk.

There will also be a six-week public consultation on Phase 2 measures in May / June 2021.

TRANCHE 1 SCHEMES

Following a period of engagement with local councillors, the University and affected colleges, and the business sector the County Council made experimental traffic regulation orders on the 29^th July, for a first tranche of measures which have the effects listed in the table below.

The following experimental measures were installed on the following dates:

Area	Measure	Date measures installed	Information
Silver Street	Extend the bus gate restriction to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week	24 August 2020	ETRO Leaflet
Luard Road	Prohibit the driving of motor vehicles on a short section west of the Luard Close junction to prevent through traffic movements	24 August 2020	ETRO Leaflet
Storey’s Way	Prohibit the driving of motor vehicles at the existing 2 metre width restriction point to prevent through traffic movements The existing 2 metre width restriction will be suspended.	25 August 2020	ETRO Leaflet
Newtown Area - Bateman Street	Phase 1 measures: Prohibit the driving of motor vehicles on a short section of Bateman Street, just west of the Panton Street junction to prevent through traffic movements in the area.	25 August 2020	ETRO Leaflet
Newtown Area - Coronation Street	Phase 1 measures: Prohibit the driving of motor vehicles on a short section of Coronation Street, just west of the Panton Street junction to prevent through traffic movements in the area:	26 August 2020	ETRO Leaflet
Newtown Area - Pemberton Terrace	Phase 1 measures:Prohibit the driving of motor vehicles on a short section of Pemberton Terrace, just west of its junction with Panton Street to prevent through traffic movements in the area:	26 August 2020	ETRO Leaflet
Newtown Area - Coronation Street	Phase 1 measures: The one-way flow between St. Eligius Street and Panton Street will be suspended	26 August 2020	ETRO Leaflet
Newtown Area - Panton Street	Phase 2 measures Prohibit the driving of motor vehicles on a short section of Panton Street, mid-way between Saxon Street and Union Road to prevent through traffic movements in the area:	20 January 2021	Newtown Phase 2 leaflet
Newtown Area - Panton Street	Phase 2 measures Two way traffic flow in Panton Street between Union Road and Saxon Street (either side of the prohibition of driving measure above) Cyclists allowed to use Panton Street in both directions on the sections between Lensfield Road and Saxon Street and between Union Road and Russell Court with motor vehicles one-way only (northbound)	20 January 2021	Newtown Phase 2 leaflet
Newtown Area - Norwich Street	Phase 2 measures The one-way flow in Norwich Street will be reversed to flow from Panton Street to Hills Road	20 January 2021	Newtown Phase 2 leaflet
Nightingale Avenue	Prohibit the driving of motor vehicles on a short section immediately adjacent to its junction with Hills Road to prevent through traffic movements	28 August 2020	ETRO Leaflet
Carlyle Road, Cambridge	Prohibit the driving of motor vehicles on a short section between Holland Street and Grasmere Gardens to prevent through traffic movements	27 August 2020	ETRO Leaflet

TRANCHE 2 SCHEMES

Information about these schemes will be available in the early part of 2021.

COMMENTS, OBJECTIONS, AND CONSULTATION

During the first 6 months of the trial period, the public can lodge objections to any of the experimental measures being made permanent. During this time, the GCP would also welcome other representations or comments on the experimental measures. Representations, comments, and objections can be emailed to contactus@greatercambridge.org.uk

The GCP carried out a formal consultation exercise for all the experimental measures during the first six months of operation when it sought from a wider range of stakeholders. The consultation has now closed.

Traffic sensors were installed at the experimental sites during the first 6 months, to record information on traffic movements. This information was made available to the public ahead of the public consultation.