Expanded bus network
The general bus network would be considerably expanded as a result of the up-front funding that would come with congestion charging, as the list below shows.
Although some cyclists will regard bus improvements as potentially unfavourable, the alternative would be a massive increase in cars instead. Also, some of these refer to Segregated busways which (as we understand it) would have the effect of taking away buses from streets like Milton Road, where space could be freed up for cycling. Furthermore, the availability of a much larger amount of money than previously means that there should be much less excuse for making such changes better designed (we think by moving verges and underlying services etc.).
The list in the County’s documentation [table 0.12] shows:
City Centre Access:
- Operation of bus services (HQPT [High Quality Public Transport], P&R and conventional bus)
- New hybrid buses
- Bus fare control
- Bus ticketing (Smartcards)
- Bus ancillary measures
- Bus enhancements (inc Bus Stops/Interchange and ancillary measures)
(UnclogCambridge would want to see implementation of smartcard ticketing and on-street payment facilities introduced as soon as possible in the programme scheduling.)
North Cambridge Busway:
- Elizabeth Way junction upgrade
- Chesterton Station access
- Newmarket Rd Segregated busway
- Milton Rd to Newmarket Rd busway
North Cambridge Access:
- Milton Road bus priority
- Milton Park & Ride upgrade
- Milton Rd P&R bus priority
West Cambridge Busway:
- Madingley Road junction upgrade
- Madingley Road upgrade
- Huntingdon Road to Madingley Road link
- Castle Street southern closure
- Bridge Street one-way, buses only
- Victoria Avenue bus bollard
- Chesterton Rd westbound busway
- Madingley Rd P&R segregated car access
- Madingley Rd P&R to Huntingdon Rd segregated bus link
- Huntingdon Rd bus priority
West Cambridge Access:
- Madingley Park & Ride upgrade
East Cambridge Busway:
- Newmarket Road P&R segregated car access
- Cambridge East to Newmarket Rd via Coldham’s Common
- Newmarket Rd new Park & Ride (inc interim bus lane along Newmarket Road from Quy)
East Cambridge Access:
- Outer ring road segregated busway
Hills Road:
- Hills Road bus bollard
- Hills Rd bus priority Station Road to Regent Street
- Babraham Road P&R segregated car access
- Hills Rd segregated busway (Brooklands Av to Addenbrooke’s)
South Cambridge Access:
- Babraham Rd Park & Ride upgrade (inc upgrade to Cherry Hinton Rd)
- Trumpington new P&R
This diagram shows the changes just for the South area. More diagrams on pages 36-38 of the County’s documentation show other areas also.
