Safety audit raised alarm over new A10 cycle path for Waterbeach
Concerns over the potential for “increased risk of collisions” were raised about the proposed A10 cycleway improvements before the scheme was approved, the Cambridge Independent has learned.
A safety audit found there may be an “increased risk of collisions between users of the shared route or users being forced into the carriageway” as a result of the facility not being wide enough for the envisaged number of users.
Highways standards are that two-way cycle tracks should be between three metres and four metres wide depending on the volume of cyclists and pedestrians.
The proposed cycleway will vary in width, with long lengths that are only two metres wide. The audit – required by the planning process – says a two-metre width is “only appropriate where flows of pedestrians and cycles are low”.
Guidance states that the minimum width for an unsegregated shared use route with up to 300 cyclists per hour is three metres.
Designers responded to the concerns by stating that the highway boundary and constraints such as ditches prevent any widening of the proposal – a figure for the existing and projected usage was not provided to the auditors.
The highways authority, Cambridgeshire County Council, explained that just because a problem has been identified by auditors it does not make the scheme inherently unsafe or unacceptable, it is the designer’s responsibility to respond to the problems that have been identified, then the overseeing organisation can accept, amend or reject the designer’s response.
Safety audits are carried out to highlight any potential issues as a scheme goes from design stage to completion. South Cambridgeshire District Council discharged a condition to grant permission for the cycle route along the A10 as part of the development for Waterbeach New Town.
The audit does acknowledge that the “travel plan for the scheme indicates some movements (circa 50 an hour) along the A10 footway/cycle track being generated by the development” following full occupation of the first phase of development of 1,600 houses.
Under condition 29 of the section 106 agreement, no homes can be occupied until the pedestrian and cycle path schemes are submitted and approved in writing.
The Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service gave permission for the condition to be discharged under delegated powers. It says it sought technical advice from highways experts before making a decision and they confirmed they were happy with these plans.
A petition against the plan has been signed by almost 500 people.
Elizabeth McWilliams, Waterbeach Labour spokesperson for local government and Landbeach parish councillor, told the Cambridge Independent: “I live on the A10. My son cycles on this path every school day with no choice in the matter. This route is a danger to ‘life and limb’ when you use it but our family has no choice in the matter. I am as keen as anyone living here to see safety improvements and see them soon.”
She added: “The decision to approve was made behind closed doors rather than in a public forum of the planning committee where councillors have to take responsibility for their decisions.”
Waterbeach Labour health spokesperson Gareth Wright added: “The existing shared use footpath and cycle path is dangerous because it is directly adjacent to the A10 (no separation), narrow and there is a high level of fast-moving traffic on the road.
“There is a risk in the dark when oncoming lights of vehicles make it difficult to identify the edge of the path. It is hazardous for northbound cyclists trying to pass southbound cyclists. It’s distinguished from the fast-moving A10 only by red asphalt and a painted line.
“I want to see more people cycling or walking. There could be 25,000 people living in the new town. There simply is nowhere near enough space for even 10 per cent of new residents to be able to cycle or walk to work along this path.”
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s transport and infrastructure committee progressed plans to upgrade the A10 between Cambridge and Ely, with the possibility of dualling the road.
Cllr Richard Robertson, who represents Cambridge City Council, said: “Safety is important for any form of transport but cyclists are inevitably particularly at risk.”
He questioned why the work was “allowed to go ahead” despite it not complying with government guidance and standards.
On Friday, Cambridgeshire County Council and Waterbeach New Town developers Urban & Civic signed a contract to allow works to start.
The developer says it plans to start work – weather permitting – from Monday, January 24 for approximately four weeks.