£6million plan to improve one of Cambridge's major roads

Reaction has been mixed to a proposed £6million upgrade of Histon Road which aims to make improvements to bus, cycling and walking journeys in the north of the city.

Residents are being asked for their feedback on the proposals, which include an extended inbound bus lane, ‘floating bus stops’ and improved cycle lanes.

It is one of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s (GCP) projects that aims to get more people using sustainable transport. It says the proposals would shorten inbound bus journeys by 2.5 minutes at peak times.

It includes five floating bus stops, intended to make it easier for cyclists to get around buses that are stationary for passengers.

Vice-chair of the project’s local liaison forum, Lilian Rundblad, said that while some aspects of the scheme look good, others fall short of residents’ expectations.

“They are driving it too hard,” she said of the GCP. “We need more time to get it right.

“We don’t argue too much about the bus lanes but we don’t want three car lanes on the northern section of the road.”

She said the space would be better used as cycle lanes and wider paths and was concerned that more space for cars may speed up traffic and make journeys worse for other road users.

She also said the outbound floating bus stops are unnecessary, and there is some disappointment at the number of mature trees that could be cut down. Furthermore, she said the loss of parking spaces on the road towards the city centre could impact businesses.

The GCP is hosting three public events:

■ Wednesday, May 30 – St Andrew’s Centre, School Hill, Histon, 4-7pm;

■ Wednesday, June 13 – St Augustine’s Church and Hall, Richmond Road, Cambridge, 4-7pm;

■ Tuesday, June 19 – Chesterton Community College, Gilbert Road, Cambridge, 5-8pm.

The findings will go to the joint assembly and executive board in the winter. Construction could begin in late 2019 with completion in 2021. The consultation runs until July 2.

Visit greatercambridge.org.uk.