Milton Road update: August 2023

Our Milton Road project aims to improve public transport, cycle and walking infrastructure to make these sustainable travel options a more attractive alternative to the car.

We've started excavation and drainage works on the west side of Milton Road. Pedestrians and cyclists please be aware of the new road layout, diversion and need to cross to the east side unless you are accessing the temporary bus stop, Westbrook Drive or homes within the closure. Please note the new cycle path on the east is currently closed to cyclists, who should dismount for the safety of all users in the area.

If you're interested in how the newly planted trees are being cared for on Milton Road, check out this video where our tree maintenance contractors, Willerby Landscapes, explain the watering, fertilisation, core sampling and health inspection measures carried out on trees planted on Milton Road.

We are currently working on the north-east quadrant of the King’s Hedges crossroads, installing a new kerb line and constructing pavements. Once complete, we will start on the south-east quadrant outside the Co-op. This is scheduled to begin in mid-September.

As mentioned in last month’s update, a large amount of concrete was used in the past to protect underground utilities at the King’s Hedges junction. Ground probing radar and trial holes were carried out to identify the location of utilities, but such tests cannot locate concrete.

When we uncovered the concrete, we unfortunately discovered the quantity and location, made it extremely challenging to install new kerbs, new drainage and traffic signal ducting. To avoid any risk to residents or work teams from severed utility cabling, and to ensure traffic signal ducting could be installed in the correct place, we needed to redesign the area.

As a result of the redesign, works were temporarily suspended. This decision allowed us to deploy the team who had been working in this area to other sections of the scheme. This ensured the team were working as efficiently as possible, subsequently returning to work on the junction following the completion of the redesign. We continued our work on 17 July.

These delays to works on the junction mean we will now not be able to finish them in ten months as originally planned. Following a review of the programme, we anticipate works will now be complete by early 2024. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

We would like to reassure residents and other users of Milton Road that the delay to the works at the junction will not have an impact on the time taken to complete the overall project.

Any stops not listed in the table above continue to operate as normal.

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 (northbound stop closed with temporary stop north of Ramsden Square), Downham’s Lane (southbound stop moved to 280 Milton Rd), Ascham Rd, Westbrook Centre (northbound stop moved to outside Restaurant Twenty Two on Chesterton Road).
• Number 9 stopping at Science Park, Kendal Way (southbound stop moved to 398 Milton Rd), Fraser Rd (northbound stop closed with temporary stop north of Ramsden Square), Downham’s Lane (southbound stop moved to 280 Milton Rd), Ascham Rd, Westbrook Centre (northbound stop moved to outside Restaurant Twenty Two on Chesterton Road).
• B the busway stopping at Westbrook Centre (northbound stop moved to outside Restaurant Twenty Two on Chesterton Road).
• 4A only stopping at Kendal Way (southbound stop moved to 398 Milton Rd), service once a day.
• Number 2 stopping at P&R, driving test centre, Cambs North, driving test centre, Chesterton - Milton Rd.
• Number 1 - please note Westbrook Centre southbound is currently suspended but opening shortly.

Please note that bus stops are subject to change as construction progresses. Bus stop suspended signage will always be displayed with a notice of the new temporary location. Information boards and service provider websites will also display information.