Stagecoach East calls for better roadworks communication and warns of disruption in Girton and to busiest bus route in Cambridge

Stagecoach East has called for better communication over roadworks as it warned bus passengers about forthcoming disruption to services in Girton and to the busiest route in Cambridge.

The company said there was no feasible diversion for bus service 6 when Cambridge Water carries out work in Girton High Street on Sunday, September 10 and Sunday, September 17.

Instead, the company said it will “use the crematorium route to Oakington”.

And it told passengers that use bus service 1 to expect disruption on Gazelle Way between September 11 and October 6 as UK Power Networks carries out works. As part of the work, the new Springstead Village development is set to have traffic control on the Gazelle Way roundabout from September 18.

Drivers in Airport Way are warned to expect a road closure from 10pm on September 18 to 5pm on September 20.

David Boden, business development director of Stagecoach East, said: “As a company we consistently run more than 98 per cent of our scheduled miles. We want to achieve the same with punctuality, but this is made difficult in Cambridge not only by general congestion, but also by planned road works.

“Cambridgeshire County Council officers work exceptionally hard to try to mitigate the effects on our services from roadworks where they can, but there are sadly limits to their powers. Now is the time for everyone, including the utility companies, to engage with bus operators directly in a meaningful and productive way.

“With such engagement and a desire from the utility companies to go the extra mile, even when this costs them extra money, solutions can be found, such as shuttle buses paid for by the utility company.

“Service 1 is the busiest bus route in Cambridge, offering key strategic links for our customers. Sadly, this is not first time Gazelle Way has been dug up this year, and what this has meant for our customers, when combined by congestion in the city, is that, we have had to reluctantly reduce the frequency of the service 1 down from every 10 minutes to every 12, just to ensure we can offer our loyal customers as reliable a service as we can.

“Buses are a key lifeline for the city, and with a genuine desire from everyone to go that extra mile in minimising disruption to bus services, we can offer the residents of Cambridge the excellent service that we all want them to have.”

In relation to the works in Girton, a spokesperson for Cambridge Water said: “Cambridge Water understands that closing a road at any time causes significant inconvenience, and therefore planned the works on Girton High Street to best suit residents and commuters, whilst ensuring that we follow necessary health & safety guidelines.

“These are planned, essential works to ensure that our customers receive a clean, safe drinking water supply. Our team will be replacing an old lead supply pipe to one of our customer’s properties, which will mean digging a trench across the width of the carriageway.

“A full road closure is required so that these works can be completed safely for both the general public and our teams working on site, whilst complying with NRSWA (The New Roads and Street Works Act).

“We are mindful of the disruption these works will cause and have purposely chosen to work over two consecutive Sundays to minimize the impact. Works will only take place on Sunday 10th & Sunday 17th September, and at all other times the highway will be clear.

“Comms should have been sent to bus companies and parish councilors via Cambridgeshire County Council following our TTRO (Temporary Traffic Restriction Order) submission to the street works team when we applied for our permit to work. We have also had advance warning signs in situ on High Street, Girton since August 29, and our permit to work has been fully granted for the aforementioned dates.”

A spokesperson for UK Power Networks told the Cambridge Independent: “UK Power Networks is carrying out essential work in Gazelle Way, Cherry Hinton, from September 11 to October 6 as part of a project to improve and upgrade the electricity supply for a large part of Cambridge.

“While we have been permitted by the council to carry out this work, we appreciate it is a busy area and apologise that a bus stop will be closed temporarily to help ensure safety.

“We have regular meetings with the local authority who look after bus liaison, and other interested parties.

“Whenever possible we collaborate with other utilities to minimise disruption for the local area.”

Visit our Live Traffic Map for more details on roadworks.