Cambridge cycle campaigners praise approval of vital link bridge

Cambridge cycling campaigners have praised the passing of a vital bridge linking the Chisholm Trail for cyclists and walkers.

The Abbey-Chesterton Cycling & Walking Bridge is now proceeding to the planning application stage, having been agreed by the Economy & Environment Committee.
 
The consultation underway into the Chisholm Trail provides, for the first time, critical details of the Chisholm Trail route and its connections.

The Trail will provide three miles of mostly off-road cycling routes that will connect the Cambridge railway station in the south to the new station in the north. At both ends the trail will join the Busway cycle paths, thus establishing miles of safe and convenient cycling out to the necklace villages of Cambridgeshire.
 
The route was first proposed by Campaign member, Jim Chisholm, in 1998. Jim Chisholm said: “It is very humbling that the route now seems to bear my name. I'm sure that, once complete, many will be regularly cycling or walking part of the route.”
 
Cambridge Cycling Campaign urges local residents and businesses to take part in the consultation via the online survey found here.
 
Robin Heydon, Chairman of the Cambridge Cycling Campaign, said: “With this route, cycling from Cambridge Business Park to a specialist unit on Clifton Road, for a relaxing walk on Ditton Meadows, or to visit an event at the Leper Chapel would all be possible within a lunch hour.”
 
The route provides many benefits and has support from a broad range of local businesses.
 
The two links under Mill Road by the railway bridge will make cycling and walking in the area more pleasant as well as reducing delays on Mill Road as cycles and pedestrians will not need to cross the road.
 
A new foot and cycle bridge over the Cam adjacent to the existing railway bridge will provide access to jobs and services in the Science Park area from places like Abbey and Teversham, and access to jobs at the airport and beyond to people living in the northern villages.
 
The route should also provide a new underpass beneath Newmarket Road, enabling access to the Leper chapel, one of Cambridge’s hidden gems.
 
In addition, the route will reduce the number of cars on the radial routes thus speeding up bus and car trips, reducing pollution and easing congestion.

However both the Friends of the Coldhams Common and the Friends of Ditton Meadows have raised concerns about the Trail's threat to the conservation of the areas.

Supporters of the campaign argue that the route will reduce the number of cars on the radial routes thus speeding up bus and car trips, reducing pollution and easing congestion.