CAMBRIDGE SOUTH EAST TRANSPORT PROJECT BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This page provides further background information on the Cambridge South East Transport project. A more general overview and updates can be found on the main project page.
THE SCHEME DETAILS
Phase 1
Phase 1 looks at road safety, walking cycling and bus priority measures along the A1307 between Haverhill and Cambridge. Some of these elements are low cost and do not require extra land, as they are within the highway, or planning consent. These can be completed quickly.
More details on the phase 1 elements can be downloaded from the 2018 consultation brochure below. Please check on the main project page for the latest progress updates of these phase 1 elements.
A continuous multi-user path for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders is planned from Cambridge to Linton and will form part of the Linton Greenway. More information on Greenways is available on the Greenways project page.
Phase 2
Phase 2 of the scheme includes:
- a new public transport route between the A11 and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus via Sawston, Stapleford and Great Shelford and
- a new travel hub near the A11/A1307/A505.
- Alongside this new public transport route will be a new path for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, similar to the ones along the existing guided busways.
- The new public transport route would most likely form part of the Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro, which is being proposed by the Combined Authority.
A public consultation on detailed proposals for phase 2 was held in autumn 2019. The feedback is currently being analysed and results will be published on these web pages in the new year. More information on the proposals from this consultation can be found on the consultation page.
Other strategies
Two further strategies were consulted on in early 2018. These were
Strategy 2
- a new dedicated public transport link between the existing Babraham Road Park & Ride and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus
- an inbound bus lane from Babraham Research Campus to the Babraham Road Park & Ride site
- a Park & Ride near the A11/A1307 junction
Strategy 3
- an inbound bus lane along the A1307 from Babraham Research Campus to the Addenbrooke’s Hospital roundabout
- a Park & Ride near the A11/A1307 junction
More information and visualisations of all strategies can be found the in the consultation brochure document below.
EARLY PROJECT STAGES
The Greater Cambridge Partnership initially considered what could be done to improve the levels of congestion, journey times and air quality along the A1307 between Haverhill and Cambridge.
In 2015, key stakeholders including politicians and employment site representatives identified transport problems and ideas for potential improvements and for links between major employment sites in that area (Granta Park, Babraham Research Campus and Cambridge Biomedical Campus).
As a result, a range of different options were put forward, including re-opening the Haverhill to Cambridge railway line, a bypass for Linton and creating a dual carriageway along the A1307 route. Initial technical work helped to determine and compare the benefits of different ideas and to develop concepts. The benefits and costs of these concepts were considered against their ability to meet the objectives of the Greater Cambridge Partnership programme. The rail and road dualling concepts were found not to be affordable or deliverable within the scope of the Greater Cambridge Partnership.
Following an initial public consultation which took place in the summer of 2016, further options development and engagement with local representatives, it was decided that three options would be carried forward which the Executive Board agreed to in November 2017. These three strategies were the focus of public consultation in 2018.
All three strategies include bus priority, junction improvements, walking and cycling measures and road safety improvements along the A1307 between Haverhill and Cambridge. It is intended to progress these works as quickly as possible.
