We know that some of you are worried that work on the Residents’ Parking Scheme could start while you are away on summer holiday next month.
We have recently heard from our Local County Councillor, Ian Manning, about the start date for this work.
He has informed us:
“The most recent I’ve had from the project team is August/September and I have asked for sufficient notice that I can get another letter out, and organise more public meetings before anything starts.”
This seems to suggest that nothing is imminent.
If we can manage to get any firmer information, we will let you know.
Published in Letters & Opinion, Cambridge Independent (July 9–15, 2025)
It is unusual and heartening to see such coincidence of purpose emerging across the political divide in Cambridgeshire.
First there was Brian Milnes, Liberal Democrat councillor for South Cambridgeshire. He is an executive board member of the Greater Cambridge Partnership. He welcomed the additional £200m recently extended by the government to the GCP. He said this recognised that the schemes and projects the GCP had developed “will meet the needs of Greater Cambridge”:
“Our mission is now to complete the job and deliver the joined-up transport network for Greater Cambridge so people have choice in how they travel, whether they are going to work, school or to see friends.”
Then there was Paul Bristow, Conservative MP for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. He has aligned himself with the mayors of other combined authorities in England. He has signed a joint statement on working together “to improve our streets for everyone, for the benefit of the health, wellbeing and connectedness of our communities.” This statement specifically commits him to:
“transform the school run by delivering high-quality, safer routes in neighbourhoods.”
So they share a commitment to a joined-up transport network that delivers improved safety for children going to school.
Does this mean that they will collaborate to persuade the GCP to “complete the job” by filling in the missing links in Cambridge’s designated priority cycle routes? Union Lane and the eastern end of Arbury Road must be prime candidates for this funding.
Arbury Road has six schools on or just off it—two nurseries, three primaries, and a secondary school. Action is long overdue to improve the safety of the many children who use this route, which is heavily congested (and polluted) during the school run.
We can only hope that this missing link gets the priority it deserves. But given the GCP’s woeful neglect of this missing link for the past six years, we would be wise not to hold our breath.
Ian Cooper Arbury Road East Resident’s Association (ARERA) Arbury Road, Cambridge
Report from ARERA’s acting chair, Ros Lund, and secretary, Lucy Edgeley, about 3rd July meeting with Ian Manning about the Residents Parking Scheme The preparations with road markings, signs etc. for the scheme will take place during July. Our Lib Dem councillors, Ian Manning (County Council) and Jamie Dalzell (City Council) will be writing to residents explaining the scheme and how to make your views known during the initial 6-month review period via the website – provide as much information as you can with dates, times and photos. Residents of both sides of Arbury Road are encouraged to use the website for feedback once the scheme is up and running. During the setting up period you may contact Ian Manning with any immediate/urgent problems via his CCC email (Ian.Manning@cambridgeshire.gov.uk) so he can speak to the relevant officer and ensure the appropriate action is taken. The contractors are expected to take a common-sense approach to marking the parking bays, enabling residents who have parking on their own driveways or front gardens to do so. The scheme will run from 9.30 am -3 pm on weekdays to match the scheme at Ascham Road etc which we shall be part of. At other times, parking will be free as at present but only in marked bays. Residents of Arbury Road on the odd-numbered side of the road with no parking on their own driveway or front garden will be able to purchase up to 3 annual permits per household and visitor permits if required. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Ian Manning on Ian.Manning@cambridgeshire.gov.ukand cc. your email to ARERA at info@arera.org.uk
