The future of Mill Road in Cambridge: Four groups make their case

What should the future of Mill Road in Cambridge look like?

Residents and traders, along with groups representing taxi drivers and cyclists, put their cases forward at Cambridge City Council’s east area committee.

A Greater Cambridge Partnership consultation, which closed on Monday, has sought views on the future of the road, with much debate around whether the bridge should be closed again to vehicles.

In June 2020 Cambridgeshire County Council closed the bridge to traffic, except buses, pedestrians and cyclists.

While some believe this had positive effects for people in the area and businesses along the street, others argued that the closure negatively impacted many of the businesses on Mill Road. The bridge was reopened in summer 2021 after a tight vote by county councillors.

The GCP is due to feed back the results of the consultation to the county council’s highways transport committee.

Here we look at the arguments made by Mill Road for People, Camcycle, Mill Road Traders Association and Cambridge City Licensed Taxis Ltd at last week’s meeting.

Mill Road for People

The representative for Mill Road for People set out in a presentation the group’s ‘eight goals’ for Mill Road.

These included creating a low-traffic and low-pollution street; making Mill Road accessible for all; making Mill Road safe; encouraging active travel; supporting and encouraging a wide range of independent businesses; enhancing the sense of community; providing reliable, affordable public transport; and providing an attractive environment.

The representative said the group did not want Mill Road to be closed to traffic, adding that there should be 24-hour vehicle access to every address in and around the road.

And the group is also not “wedded” to the idea of a bus gate on the bridge, but is campaigning for reduced traffic and would welcome that through “whatever method works best”.

The representative also argued that Mill Road for People felt the issue of traffic displacement from the road closure was “overstated” and said data showed there was little long term displacement.

Camcycle

A representative for Camcycle said the group’s main aim for the future of Mill Road would be to remove through traffic, which they said would help solve the problems being faced on the road.

The representative said the group hoped the future of Mill Road would see the creation of a “welcoming street” for local people to spend more time and money; “thriving” independent traders; wider pavements with good disabled access; reliable buses; safe cycling; new parking spaces and no pavement parking; cleaner air; and easier access for people travelling from further afar.

He said that currently the road is “dominated” by vehicles, and that Camcycle hoped more of a balance could be achieved where no one group dominates.

He said the group is also not arguing for pedestrianisation, or for taxis to be banned, or for the gentrification of the area.

Camcycle said a high number of accidents take place on Mill Road, and argued there were positives from the bridge closure, including parents feeling safer to cycle with their children.

The group also shared pictures of people queuing to use shops on Mill Road during the closure and a sign from one establishment limiting the time people could stay due to demand.

Mill Road Traders Association

Discussing the impact of the bridge closure, the representative for Mill Road Traders Association recognised that some businesses along Mill Road had benefited, but said most had suffered and claimed that on average traders had seen a 40 percent loss in trade.

The representative also raised concerns with some of the accident and air quality data that had been referenced, suggesting that measures could be taken to slow down traffic on the road, including speed displays.

The representative said that whatever decisions are made, that it is important that they are “guided by real evidence” and that the livelihoods of people who live in and around Mill Road are taken into account.

Cambridge City Licensed Taxis Ltd

A representative for Cambridge City Licensed Taxis Ltd also spoke at the meeting. The main point the group wished to raise was the need for all groups to be considered in any changes.

In particular the group highlighted the accessibility needs of older people and people with disabilities, which they said often needed taxis.

The representative said they had concerns of the potential impact on different groups restrictions of taxis in Mill Road could have.

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