M11 Park and Ride Provision

A blue double decker bus at the Trumpington Park & Ride

OVERVIEW

Junction 11 of the M11 is a key entry point into Cambridge. With significant growth in housing and employment in the area, upgrading the existing transport infrastructure in this area is vital to reduce congestion and improve access into the city.

Congestion impacts on current bus journey times making journeys unreliable, unattractive and longer than necessary, as well as affecting the convenience and comfort of cycling trips on the corridor.

By expanding the existing Park & Ride in Trumpington and creating more Park & Ride provision (either by creating multi-storey parking at the Trumpington site or a new Park & Ride to the west of Junction 11), car drivers can be encouraged to complete their journeys by bus. More Park & Ride use would help the flow of traffic and make employment sites such as the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, West and North Cambridge easier to reach.

The M11 Park & Ride Provision Project is a component of the West of Cambridge package, which includes review and development options for Park and Ride facilities, creation of new Park & Ride locations, and enhancement or upgrade of existing facilities.

W H Y I T I S S O I M P O R T A N T

Providing sustainable alternatives to driving into the city

OBJECTIVES & BENEFITS

Objectives of this scheme include:

To maintain or reduce general traffic levels and congestion
To enhance the environment, streetscape and air quality
To provide safer and more convenient routes for cycling
To at least maintain existing levels of pedestrian connectivity.

Benefits of this scheme include:

A faster and more reliable way to travel into Cambridge city centre
Supports the delivery of new homes across South Cambridgeshire
Supports access to key employment locations and job creation
Improves local public transport infrastructure.

A contemporary style new build house in Trumpington Meadows, with a young tree in the foreground

BACKGROUND

The M11 Junction 11 is a vital access point into Cambridge from the south. Currently, Park & Ride provision is located on the city-side of this junction, the Trumpington Park & Ride site.

There is significant housing and employment growth around the M11 area including the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Trumpington Meadows and West Cambridge. There are currently 16 peak time P&R buses per hour from Trumpington to the City Centre, with predictions showing the site will soon reach capacity. Intensification of the Trumpington site to provide extra spaces is being considered.

A multi-storey Park & Ride at Trumpington or a new site at Junction 11 in addition to the existing site would enable journeys to be faster and more reliable. Reducing the increasing number of cars travelling into Cambridge and adding to the extensive and high-quality public transport network currently being developed across the area.

At the Executive Board meeting on 21 March 2018 the GCP Executive Board agreed to undertake further analysis and seek opinions on the scheme. After further scheme development has taken place the project will be brought back to a future meeting of the Joint Assembly and Executive Board, in the form of an Outline Business Case.

LINKS WITH THE WIDER TRANSPORT STRATEGY

M11 Park & Ride Provisions are part of the West of Cambridge Package. A collective of schemes designed to improve traffic and congestion to the west of the city.

This programme will also work towards Cambridgeshire’s Long Term Transport Strategy:

Access to areas of employment and key services will be maximised, particularly by sustainable modes of travel, to:

Provide a transport network that is efficient and effective
Provide good accessibility to services and for businesses
Provide a high quality public transport and cycle network to routes near major employment, education and service centres

GET INVOLVED

Residents, businesses and commuters are welcome to attend the M11 Park & Ride Engagement Group.

FUNDING

The project would be considered for funding from any second tranche of monies received from Central Government.

Frequently asked questions

Why is there need for a new Park & Ride at M11 Junction 11?

Due to the significant growth in employment and housing in the area, congestion is making journey times in this area unreliable, unattractive and longer than necessary. Upgrading the existing Park & Ride provision at M11 Junction 11 has therefore been identified as a priority to address these issues.

How does this tie in with the Western Orbital scheme?

The Western Orbital project and Local Liaison Forum is currently on hold pending decisions by Highways England on their Roads Investment Strategy. This decision is due in 2019. Currently, a Park & Ride site at M11 Junction 11 is under consideration alongside changes to expand capacity at Trumpington Park & Ride.

Will a new Park & Ride be built?

A new Park & Ride is considered being built west of Junction 11. This would tie in with improvements also being made to the existing Trumpington Park & Ride site.

What's the time line for this project?

Following feedback from members of the public and the GCP Executive Board analysis is currently underway to develop further options for this scheme. After this development has taken place the project will be brought back to a future meeting to the Joint Assembly and Executive Board, in the form of an Outline Business Case.