Cambridge cyclists to see 3,000-space cycle park plans, council plans to light up guided busway path

Members of Cambridge Cycling Campaign, which has campaigned long and hard for increased bike parking provision at the city’s railway station, will this evening be shown plans of the 3,000-place cycle park due to be installed there as part of the CB1 development. Meanwhile Cambridgeshire County Council has announced that solar-powered stud lighting is to be installed on the path alongside the guided busway from St Ives to Cambridge for the benefit of cyclists and walkers.

The cycle parking facility is being built by developers Brookgate as part of the major mixed-use scheme it is constructing in the area around the station. The firm has provided indicative images of the facility on its website.

The Department for Transport announced £2.5 million funding for the cycle park and associated cycle hub including workshop and retail facilities in March this year.

A spokesman for Cambridge Cycle Campaign told Cambridge News: “We are delighted that the problem of cycle parking at the station is finally being addressed in a comprehensive manner after 10 years of campaigning.

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/Wraps-come-off-cycle-park-plan...

“Demand has consistently been higher than the number of racks currently in place.

“This new, 3,000- space cycle park will also go a long way to addressing the fly- parking that this lack has encouraged.”

He added: “We also invite the public to think about a good name for this unique structure. The name should announce clearly and loudly that Cambridge is the national leader in cycling.”

According to Cambridge Cycling Campaign’s Facebook page, tonight’s meeting starts at 8pm at the Friends' Meeting House, Jesus Lane.

Cambridgeshire County Council, meanwhile, has revealed plans for stud lighting to be installed on the path alongside the guided busway from Orchard Park on the edge of Cambridge to St Ives, from where the bus route continues along an existing road to Huntingdon.

The council, which says that such lights have previously been successfully installed on cycle routes including ones between Over and Swavesey and Addenbrooke's Hospital to Shelford, says that they will enable more people to use the cycle path, which opened in August 2011, in the winter months.

Perhaps not this winter, however – installation will begin in January with works due to last eight weeks, and the council warns that “some disruption is likely.” The cost is estimated at £95,000, funded by money allocated under he Local Sustainable Transport Fund, and is said to have minimal environmental impact. 

Councillor Ian Bates, Cambridgeshire County Council’s cabinet member for growth and planning, commented: “This is fantastic news for those who use the Busway maintenance track to walk and cycle.

“Solar studs will provide a trail route for users to follow while having no ongoing cost for the Council.

“The Council is committed to providing good facilities for cyclists and pedestrians and will be looking towards lighting other sections of the busway maintenance track.”