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Mill Road bridge in Cambridge is closed without notice during daytime




Mill Road bridge has been closed this morning (Friday, November 15) and remains closed as contractors begin work to install the bus gate.

Cambridgeshire County Council changed its plans from working overnight to closing the bridge in the daytime following a number of protests against the bus gate works that disrupted the roadworks this week.

Mill Road bridge closed during daytime hours to install bus gate
Mill Road bridge closed during daytime hours to install bus gate

However, the move has infuriated businesses, who say they were not involved in the protests, because there was no notice of the daytime bridge closure.

The council admits it did not issue warnings ahead of the bridge closure, although it did say on Wednesday (November 13) it would be looking for other ways to continue the works. A spokesperson explained signs were now up on the roads and that the work will continue 24 hours a day until it is completed.

Mill Road bridge closed during daytime hours to install bus gate
Mill Road bridge closed during daytime hours to install bus gate

Abdul Arain, owner of the Al-Amin grocery shop and secretary of Mill Road Traders and chair of the Cambridge Muslim Trust, said: “It's terrible. Nobody's coming through the bridge because the contractors are blocking it. My staff have been blocked from coming through.The contractors told us they have their works order from the council and they're just going to get on. But no one notified us that the bridge was going to be closed during the day. It has come as a complete shock. Many, many people will struggle to get to Friday prayers at the mosque on Mill Road because no one knew this was happening.

“Some buses have been allowed through by the police. I have told the police that if you're going to allow buses to go through then you need to facilitate everyone else, but that’s not happening. It’s absolute traffic chaos.

“I just got back from Rome last night where I met the Pope at the Vatican. I thought I would be talking about that this morning - instead I wake up to this situation.”

Mill Road bridge closed during daytime hours to install bus gate
Mill Road bridge closed during daytime hours to install bus gate

Hairdresser Piero D’Angelico, also of Mill Road Traders, said: “This is not the right way to go about things. You can’t just close the bridge without warning. We have our dignity and mouths to feed. We would like to be informed by the council when this is going to happen.”

Last month, councillors voted to approve a bus gate for Mill Road bridge following a protracted process that has already included one High Court battle.

The decision, which followed majority support in consultations, means the bridge will be closed to all motor vehicles, except buses, pedestrians, cyclists, emergency services, taxis and Blue Badge holders’ registered vehicles, with the aim of improving the environment, air quality and safety for cyclists and pedestrians from December 1.

Mill Road bridge closed during daytime hours to install bus gate
Mill Road bridge closed during daytime hours to install bus gate

Protester Susie Williams said: “We know they're going to get it done and we're just busy protesting the whole way. They've made huge progress this morning, digging up the pavement where they want to narrow the pavement so they can put a road traffic island in the middle of the road with a bus gate sign, so they're getting on with that.

“We all went home from the protest between 9.30pm and 10pm last night. We sort of knew in our bones that they'd come back that night, really. I think they came back at three in the morning and secured the area. They started work before seven this morning.”

A new campaign group called Friends of Mill Road Bridge 2 has sent ‘letter before action’ to Cambridgeshire County Council, outlining four grounds on which they believe the decision to install the bus gate could be overturned. The legal challengers were at pains to say they were not involved in the road protest.

Campaign group Mill Road For People, who support the bridge closure, said: “We are pleased that County Council has shown great determination in proceeding with the works necessary for the safety measures and the installation of the bus gate on and near Mill Rd Bridge. We are sorry that workers on this project have had to face such hostility, and would like to thank them for their patience.

“The work they are there to do has been democratically agreed, in the case of the bus gate with not one, but three consultations, all showing support for traffic-reduction. It is a shame that this residential C road was ever allowed to become a de facto through route as this has made change much more difficult.

“We urge all opponents of the bus gate to now respect democracy and work together for the positive improvements to Mill Road that will be possible with less traffic.”

A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: “We have started the work. There are signs in place and we’re currently updating One Network (an official website that notifies the public of planned roadworks and road closures).

“Mill Road will be closed between Kingston Street and Headly Street until at least tomorrow morning or whenever the essential works in this section have been completed. The works will be 24/7 both during the day and overnight today.

“The work has been disrupted by protesters so we looked at a different way to carry out the work so that they would be completed in time for the bus gate to go live.”



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