The Milton Road project aims to improve public transport, cycling and walking infrastructure to make these sustainable travel options a more attractive alternative to the car.
Please note that we are publishing this update during the pre-election period. As a public body, there are clear rules covering what we can issue during this time.
Overnight closures
We will shortly be undertaking road surfacing on Milton Road between Hurst Park Avenue and Birch Close.
Works began on Tuesday 28 May with preparation works which include the raising of all utility covers and laying new service ducts across the road. These works can be done without needing to close any roads.
Road surfacing will begin on Monday 3 June for approximately two weeks. We will start by closing Mitcham’s Corner to Arbury Road between 8pm and 6am. Access will be maintained for all residents although some may need to be escorted to maintain their safety and that of our team.
Once the first section is completed, we will change the traffic management to close Milton Road from Arbury Road to King’s Hedges junction. Access will be maintained for all residents although again those who live in the main works area, or affected side roads without an alternative access, will need to be escorted.
Finally, we will close Mitcham’s Corner to Elizabeth Way Roundabout. This is to allow works to be completed next to Mitcham’s Corner and Gilbert Road.
The closure maps provide further details on the specific areas that will require escorted access, and our traffic management team will be on hand throughout to assist during the closures.
Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Pedestrians and cyclists may be requested to stop and wait until it is safe to pass. There will be no bus services through the area once the overnight closures are in place.
There will be no parking allowed anywhere where surfacing is taking place, regardless of whether there are currently double yellow lines / other restrictions or not. This includes the layby outside the shops as we need to surface this area. Surfacing on adjacent side roads will also be completed but will be limited to the first 30 metres. Roads affected are Highworth Avenue, Elizabeth Way, Oak Tree Avenue, Union Lane, Arbury Road and Birch Close.
While we are working on the section from Mitcham’s Corner to Arbury Road, we will reopen Union Lane to allow another diversion route. However, when we are working at Arbury Road junction (Phase 2), Union Lane will be closed. Highworth Avenue residents should exit directly onto Arbury Road via Leys Road as there will be no access onto the roundabout.
We would like to apologise in advance for any disruption these works may cause.
If you need to access or exit a property or business within the closure (areas shown in red on maps):
The main closure points will be staffed by our traffic management team who will direct people to the nearest access and exit points. Residents may be subject to a diversion or escort by the traffic management team. This will be dependent on the exact destination. For exiting side roads on to Milton Road, there will be a diversion sign at each road junction which will direct you away from impacted works.
Completed works
Ascham Road, Fraser Road and Lovell Road Copenhagen crossings
The Copenhagen crossings at the junctions of Ascham Road, Fraser Road and Lovell Road with Milton Road are now complete.
This means that the following Copenhagen Crossings have now been completed: Ascham Road, Cook Close, Downham’s Lane, Fraser Road, Herbert Street, Kendal Way, Lovell Road, Middleton Close, Oak Tree Avenue and Ramsden Square. Work is underway on Birch Close and Hurst Park Avenue.
Gilbert Road
The Gilbert Road junction with Milton Road is broadly complete with some finishing touches due to take place in June.
Elizabeth Way / Highworth Avenue roundabout
Work on the islands at the roundabout is now complete. Surfacing and traffic light commissioning will take place in June.
Ongoing works
Mitcham’s Corner
Once BT have removed a pole in this section, we will be able to complete laying the remaining red cycleway tarmac on the west. The section from Mitcham’s Corner to Herbert Street on both sides of the road just needs some finishing touches and white lining on the cycleway. The lights at the Westbrook crossing will be turned on in a couple of weeks. After all of the above has been carried out, Mitcham’s corner to Gilbert Road will be complete, with road surfacing having already taken place.
Hurst Park Avenue and Birch Close Copenhagen crossings
At Hurst Park Avenue, excavation is taking place, and will be followed by installing drainage, edging, kerbing and block-paving.
At Birch Close we have now moved over onto the second half of the crossing. We are currently in the digging stage, before preparing to install kerbs, edgings and the binder course (first layer of asphalt). Work is on track for completion in June.
Arbury Road shops area and junction
Further sections of tarmac have been laid in this area. We are installing cycle stands, providing a designated space for people to leave their bikes.
Ramsden Square to King’s Hedges
Ramsden Square to King’s Hedges junction will be ready in the next couple of weeks. It is currently three quarters complete. In the final section we are adding kerbs, demarcation kerbs and the new verge in preparation for binder (first layer) and final surfacing.
King’s Hedges junction
We have produced a video which shows how to use a CYCLOPS (Cycling Optimised Protected Signals) junction. Work on Cambridge's second CYCLOPS junction making progress (greatercambridge.org.uk)
We have completed three of the four sections of the new CYCLOPS junction at King’s Hedges. The south-west quadrant is now complete, having been tarmacked. Excavations in the final, north-west, quadrant are mainly complete, with drainage to be installed. The next task will be building back to surface level.