Greater Cambridge greenways construction update December 2023

Greater Cambridge greenways construction update December 2023

Welcome to our December update on construction of the Greater Cambridge greenways – our programme of 12 walking, wheeling, cycling and, where possible, equestrian routes to better connect the city to the communities around it.

Early works have started on the Horningsea and Comberton greenways with investigation being undertaken on others. Further information can be found in this update on these schemes and upcoming works due to start in the New Year.

Most of our works will pause for December in line with Cambridgeshire County Council’s works embargo, aimed at easing traffic flows through the busy festive period. Works will resume early in the New Year, though some residual works in other areas will be undertaken during this time. For details of how this will affect each scheme please read on.

Horningsea Greenway

Progress summary

Works on the Horningsea Greenway are progressing well, with the works passing the halfway point in October. The section of path from south of the A14 to the north end of Fen Ditton is awaiting resurfacing, which will be laid at the end of the programme.

This month, we will temporarily pause our main greenway works on the B1047 around the area of Fen Ditton. The temporary traffic management has been removed to ease congestion on this key route in the run up to the festive period. Works here will recommence in Fen Ditton on Tuesday 2 January 2024.

We are aware of congestion building up around the works between the A14 and Fen Ditton. To help ease these we put extra measures in place, such as manual traffic management controls, having traffic management on site longer in the day and reducing the length of the lane closure where possible. In the New Year when works resume, the temporary traffic lights on the A14 bridge will only be in place from 9:30am - 3:30pm.

Our works programme for this area is under constant review to ensure we minimise the duration and subsequent impact the works will have.

We would like to thank the public for their patience and apologise for any disruption caused by these works.

Works in Horningsea village until 22 December

Whilst major works are paused in December, we are still able to do minor works within Horningsea, which started on Monday 4 December. This will include improved signage, traffic calming islands and on-road cycle markings.

Looking ahead / what’s next

The next stage of work will resume in Fen Ditton on Tuesday 2 January 2024, when we hope to complete the final stage towards Fen Ditton Primary School. We are looking to complete the works towards the end of January subject to any unforeseen circumstances.

The final task will be a layer of asphalt along the full length of the path, including resurfacing the path over the A14 bridge.

Comberton Greenway

Progress summary

Early works on the Comberton Greenway started outside Comberton Village College with the installation of drainage, ducting, kerbing and a new pedestrian and cycle crossing to ensure that students and the public can cross safely.

Drainage has also been improved along the main road where gullies were blocked or in a state of disrepair.

Overnight road closures until 8 December

Overnight road closures are underway on the B1046 Comberton Road from 8pm-6am from Monday 4 December to Friday 8 December inclusive, to resurface the carriageway and paint road markings.

Looking ahead / what’s next

Subject to decisions of the GCP’s Executive Board in early January, the team will progress onto the junctions of Kentings and Barrons Way. The works will include narrowed kerb radius to reduce the distance the pedestrians will travel across the junction, improved drainage, speed tables and street lighting, to reduce traffic speed and improve road safety.

Barton Greenway

Early works started on Barton Greenway prior to the Christmas embargo, which included ground investigation to establish further details about the path structure. A ground penetrating utility search provided valuable information on the location of underground utilities, such as internet cables and electrical cables.

Upcoming greenway projects

We are looking at and scheduling early works on the Barton, Melbourn and Sawston greenways and on Cowley Road (Waterbeach Greenway) from early 2024.

Keeping in touch

We’ll continue to update you on the early works in our next newsletter, along with news about works on the other greenways and when they are due to start.

If you have any queries in the meantime, please email greenways@milestoneinfra.co.uk or call the 24-hour contact centre on 0800 028 1363.

You can sign up to our mailing list to receive these updates on the Greater Cambridge Greenways network, or other GCP projects, at: www.greatercambridge.org.uk/email-updates

We’d like to thank everyone for their co-operation and understanding while we deliver these key improvement projects.

Best wishes for the festive season and a Happy New Year.