| In case you haven’t seen it, here is a ’new year’ notice circulated to us by the local Lib Dems ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1st of January 2023 As Christmas turns to New Year, Cambridge City Council is approaching some controversial decisions in its budget. At risk of disturbing your festivities, I wanted to alert you to some of these – as there is an opportunity for residents to express their point of view before decisions are taken. Three items we have singled out are: Closing Public Toilets These are an essential, if not glamorous aspect of what a council provides – because no-one else will! Labour councillors want to close the conveniences on Quayside (the only ones on the west side of the city centre), Chesterton Road (without any plan to improve the inadequate block on Jesus Green nearby) and Mill Road (where there are no nearby alternatives). They also want to limit opening to weekends on the recreation grounds at Chesterton, Coleridge, Romsey and Midsummer Common. In a city which thrives from its shoppers and visitors, how come public loos are such a low priority that when cutbacks are in the air, they come to the fore? Apart from their use to everyone on occasion, public loos are especially important to the elderly, pregnant mothers, those with disabilities, parents of small children and those making full use of public open spaces. Reducing the Environmental Enforcement Team Where there are rules for the benefit of the community, there needs to be an effort to enforce them – or they don’t get taken seriously. This applies to dropping litter, fly tipping, controlling dogs in public places, lighting BBQs on the grass, punt touting and commercial ‘A’ Boards on pavements. Few could claim these are all well under control, but Labour’s proposal is to reduce the officers from 7 to 6 and have those remaining only patrolling in pairs. When you take account of the size of the city and the need for weekend and summer evening patrols, we can expect only negligible attention anywhere – including where we need it locally and across the rest of the city! This is another core council responsibility: cutting it back is sure to result in lower standards. Discontinuing the ‘Big Weekend’ This free annual summer event on Parker’s Piece brings the whole city together in a way little else does. The way it integrates and celebrates the city’s Asian community through the ‘Mela’ is especially valuable. It is natural for the cost of the event to come under scrutiny in times like these, but it seems shortsighted simply to abandon it, without a serious attempt to seek sponsorship for it, or failing that, to commercialise it whilst avoiding high cost entry. If you feel more thought is needed before these measures are agreed, please say so in the council’s consultation survey – focusing on Question 10. But do act now, as the opportunity closes on January 10th at noon. Go to: https://cambridge.citizenlab.co/en-GB/projects/draft-budget-2023-24 |
GCP Making Connections Consultation
It’s not too late to make your response to the latest GCP consultation – the one which many people think is just about the congestion charge proposals, but is really about improving the way we all live and work together.
The deadline is midday on 23 December.
The attached link will take you to a guide to the consultation provided by the Cambridgeshire Sustainable Travel Alliance
https://cambstravelalliance.org/gcp-making-connections-consultation-guide/
Whatever you think about the proposals it is really important to have your say. Alternative suggestions to the congestion charge will be welcomed, as will your views on buses, cycling, walking, pollution hot spots etc. This really is your chance to make your views known!
To complete the survey click
https://tinyurl.com/STZ-survey
Please make sure that your voice gets heard.
ARERA Committee
Make sure your voice gets heard
There are two current developments in Cambridge that you might want to give the Greater Cambridge Partnership your views about:
1. locally, the improvement works on Milton Road, especially the closure of Union Lane.
2. across the city as a whole, the congestion charging and sustainable transport
Union Lane closure
If you are a cyclist or a pedestrian and you use Union Lane regularly, why not email the GCP to say how the recent/current closure of Union Lane to through motor traffic has affected your experience of using that road. You can stress what an important part of the recommended cycle route from Orchard Park to Newmarket Road and Riverside both Union Lane and Arbury Road are.
Contact the GCP on contactus@greatercambridge.org.uk
Congestion Charging and all that
You may be interested in the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s current consultation on sustainable travel. Congestion charging is the big headline issue for the local press, but before that can be properly settled the GCP wants to know how people feel about the best ways to achieve sustainable travel in Cambridge which will enable the city to reduce pollution, improve our carbon footprint and encourage a more healthy lifestyle for all. To participate in this consultation visit www.greatercambridge.org.uk/mc-2022. The GCP is trying to future proof the city centre in light of the enormous expansion of the city which is currently under way. We cannot continue as we are. We need vastly improved public transport and streets that are pleasant to be in which will benefit commuters, residents and tourists alike!
Camcycle provides help and advice on how to fill in the consultation and press for improved cycling facilities. https://www.camcycle.org.uk/blog/2022/08/what-is-the-cambridge-sustainable-travel-zone/
Consultation under the heading ‘Making Connections; a city access publication Consolation’ is open until midday 23 December on www.greatercambridge.org.uk/mc-2022.
If not now, then when?
The Cambridge Sustainable Alliance is also encouraging people to respond to the GCP consultation.
Cambridgeshire Sustainable Travel Alliance has been founded by three organisations – Cambridge Living Streets, Camcycle and Cambridge Area Bus Users – which campaign for better walking, cycling and public transport respectively.
It states that is aim is to ’unite and inspire people in Cambridgeshire working for a transport network that protects our future and offers genuine choice’, see https://cambstravelalliance.org/
Letter in the Cambridge Independent : A ‘pre-emptive GCP strike’ on parking review
A ‘pre-emptive GCP strike’ on parking review
The Arbury Road East Residents’ Association has expressed concern about the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s (GCP) use of the consultations on the Milton Road parking schemes to launch a pre-emptive strike to strip Arbury Road East of its parking and turn the whole of Arbury Road into a de facto ‘urban clearway’ – even though consultation on the GCP’s Review of Road Classifications has yet to take place.
We know that this concern is shared by looking at the responses left in the comments book at the ‘consultation’ meeting held recently by the GCP at Chesterton Community College.
We have been warned that the GCP may seek to solve this ‘problem’ (of its own making) by removing Arbury Road East from the proposed Hurst Park Estate parking scheme.
We here put on record that the residents and businesses on Arbury Road East:
- have not voted for Arbury Road East to be removed from this parking scheme
- have not voted for the status of Arbury Road East, which is very narrow, to be changed from a residential street to a de facto ‘urban clearway’ by the addition of double yellow lines along both sides of the road
- have not voted for all parking on Arbury Road East to be removed
- have not voted for Arbury Road to lose its previously allocated status, as shown on maps issued by both the county council and the GCP, as a ‘designated priority cycle route’ along its whole length.
What the GCP is currently proposing will not improve the safety of those who live, work, shop and go to the schools located directly on Arbury Road or to the schools in the near vicinity.
The single painted advisory cycle lane shown on one side Arbury Road East in the GCP proposals is not compliant with the government’s 2020 requirements as set out in Local Transport Note 1/20. No provision at all is made for cyclists travelling in the opposite direction.
The GCP’s current proposals for Arbury Road will not help it achieve the 15 per cent reduction in motorised traffic in Cambridge that it has set as its objective.
We urge our elected representatives – Cambridge’s MP and the leaders of the county and city councils – to use their oversight to ensure that the GCP will not be allowed to use its Milton Road Parking Scheme, its Road Hierarchy Review, or any other mechanisms at disposal, to make undemocratic decisions about the fate of those who live on or use this road, as well as the neighbouring roads adjoining it.
Ian Cooper
Secretary, Arbury Road East Residents’ Association (arera.org.uk)
Cambridge News:Residents fear Arbury Road to turn into ‘urban clearway’ as street parking to be scrappedCambridge News:
The Greater Cambridge Partnership project has called the project the “GCP Resident Parking Scheme”.
Plans to remove current free on-street parking spaces have incensed some residents on Arbury Road, who argue that under current proposals, residents would face a long walk to get to their cars. In the attached plan for the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s project, double yellow lines are visible along the length of Arbury Road, with a dotted line indicating a cycle lane going from Milton Road to the Recreation ground.
This change, critics have warned, will transform Arbury Road into an “urban clearway”, which is defined as “a stretch of road in an urban area on which motorists may only stop in an emergency”.
A call to action entitled: ‘ACT Now – GCP Plans to turn Arbury Road into an Urban Clearway’ was posted by the campaign on social media two days ago, and has already received dozens of reactions. The purported intention of the GCP’s “Resident Parking Scheme” is to give residents in the Milton Road area parking priority within their area.
Under these plans, Arbury road residents also fear they may have to find a parking space on those allocated to the Hurst Park Estate – quite some distance from Arbury Road. They also have criticised the fact that they would be obliged to spend £54 on a permit for their car, which could potentially be on a road miles away from home.
On the scheme’s official webpage the GCP insist the new plans will make it easier for residents to park: “The introduction of a residents’ parking scheme ring fences available parking spaces to those people who live in the area. It should enable those who regularly find it difficult to park within a reasonable distance of their home due to other competing parking demands, to find a space”.
One user commented that the area is already underserved by public transport: “There are no buses up Arbury Road and installing a “modal filter” would make that even less likely. “
“In addition, as well as forcing local traffic to take a considerably extended route in order to reach Histon or Chesterton High St, adding greatly to overall pollution, it could also direct escaping vehicles into Leys Rd and around the Hurst Park estate at cost to their local environment. Not everybody can cycle”.
Another user commented said: “The Arbury Road saga continues…”
By Fareid Atta
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/residents-fear-arbury-road-turn-25320379
ACT NOW!
GCP Plans to turn Arbury Road into an Urban Clearway!
Many residents and shopkeepers in Arbury Road east supported the idea of joining a residents’ parking scheme with the Milton Road, Hurst Park Ave and Leys Road areas when they were asked for their views by local councillors this summer.
It was therefore a shock to discover that the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s current proposals mean no parking at all in Arbury Road, not even for disabled drivers or customers of businesses at the Milton Road junction.
 |  |
Instead Arbury Road residents will be expected to find a parking space amongst those allocated to the streets on the Hurst Park Estate. For details, see
https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/gcp-milton-road-parking
During the day there is already some pressure on spaces in Leys Road which is the nearest parking, so if Arbury Road residents lose all their parking those who need parking will find themselves paying £54 p.a. per car with no guarantee of a space anywhere near their home. If the scheme goes ahead the squeeze on spaces will only get worse.
The above plan prepared for the Greater Cambridge Partnership shows double yellow lines along the length of Arbury Road with an unprotected (dotted line) cycle lane going from Milton Road to join the one which starts at the Rec. There will be nothing for cyclists on the other side of the road going towards the junction. This change will turn the whole of Arbury Road into a de facto ‘urban clearway’ – “a stretch of road in an urban area on which motorists may stop only in an emergency”.
If this proposal goes ahead, not only will a significant number of residents lose their parking, but the road will become even more unsafe, as a straight unimpeded road is likely to encourage speeding. The 20 mph limit is already largely ignored, but such a road could become a speedway with no traffic calming measures – none are shown on the map above..
These proposals do not address the concerns that residents have already voiced about road safety and pollution but in fact are likely to make matters worse!
There is an opportunity to view the plans and discuss them with the consultants on Wednesday 19th October from 5-7 pm at Chesterton Community College Drama Studio, or online on Wednesday 2 November at 6 pm.
We recommend residents read the proposals in detail, attend one of the meetings if possible and fill in the survey. Do share your concerns with your local councillors, the GCP and your local residents’ association – ARERA – we will do our best to represent your views.
Survey link:
If you would prefer not to complete the consultation survey online, please telephone 01223 699 906, a member of GCP Call Centre will add your responses to the survey for you.
You can also email your views to consultations@greatercambridge.org.uk
ARERA Satisfaction Survey Results Summary
Results from the Make Arbury Road better! ARERA Survey.
Overview
The Arbury Road East Residents Association (ARERA) was officially inaugurated on 9 December 2019. ARERA aims to provide a forum for discussion of issues affecting residents and business owners on Arbury road, and its side streets, from the North Cambridge Academy school to the junction at Milton Road.
Residents/business operators have come together to discuss options as it is felt that the use of Arbury Road as a through-route/cut through is not keeping with its designated status – e.g. 20mph designation, its narrow width, multiple schools, shops, popular cyclist route, and a pedestrian zone accessing homes/schools/shops/businesses etc.
Issues discussed at the meeting included:
- views on whether cars should be actively discouraged in an era of climate emergency
- views about lorries not being restricted by weight
- views about bus services
- views about safety and usage of pavements for cycling and parking
- views about whether Arbury road, as currently configured, actually splits the community in two
- views about the safety of Arbury Road junction with Milton Road specifically
- whether people (perhaps older) avoid cycling and walking because they consider it too dangerous
- views on pollution, vibration, and noise
- impact of the Histon Road one-way development and the Milton Road development plans
In this survey, we want to collect your views concerning traffic and road usage from both residents and businesses on/just off Arbury Road, with the aim of trying to develop and present ideas for improvements to the County Council and the Greater Cambridge Partnership.
Results
Inaugural meeting minutes 9th Dec 2019
Inaugural meeting of the Arbury Road East Residents’ Association
Monday, 9th December, 2019 – Arbury Road Baptist Church Hall – 7.00p.m.
Welcome and Introduction
Vincent Poole welcomed everyone and introduced the purposes of the evening:
- A need to be an official constituted body to deal with pressing issues
- The probable introduction of a Resident Parking scheme
- A pre-consultation meeting to be held in the next month or two
- How changes in Histon Road and Milton Road will affect Arbury Road
A constitution has been prepared for examination by the people attending the meeting.
Committee roles need to be filled.
Background and need for ARERA
Lucy Edgeley introduced the background to setting up the official ARERA.
Some years ago, ARETA had been a small group of residents raising awareness of increase of fast traffic and the dangers that posed in the south-eastern end of Arbury Road.
Arbury Road could be divided into three sections:
- The north-western end where cycle lanes have now been built
- From Campkin Road to where the road narrows
- From the narrowing to the Milton Road traffic lights
Each section has quite a different character.
Two years ago, we received the plan for forthcoming changes to Milton Road and this caused the setting up of several Residents’ Associations in the area because residents wanted those plans to be changed.
ARERA was set up and registered with FECRA although we were not a constituted body.
It is important for us now to become one, in order to pursue changes to make Arbury Road safer for residents and those who travel along it to schools, doctor and dental surgeries, retirement homes, vet surgery.
We also take account of the needs of the shops at the Milton Road corner and of those attending Arbury Road Baptist Church, who kindly allow us the use of the hall for no charge.
Ian Cooper spoke about why we need to become official now.
Extensive road works are due to begin in Histon Road and Milton Road and this is bound to affect traffic on Arbury Road.
The north-western end of Arbury Road to North Cambridge Academy has new cycle lanes but nothing has been done at the south-eastern end to make cyclists and pedestrians safer.
There should be ‘phase three’ money available in the future but not now. We need to get ourselves organised for when money becomes available.
However, Mike Davies, who has been responsible for the development of cycle routes in the city, has said there is money for a pre-consultation workshop which could be held in January. Grant Weller would oversee it.
At this meeting, professional facilitators would come with plans of the road and we would make our suggestions for making it safer and more pleasant for those who live here. It is a residential road.
Suggestions have been:
- Make Arbury Road one way – consider the pros and cons of either way
- Close Arbury Road – where?
- At the shops
- At North Cambridge Academy
- At Leys Road
Councillor Ian Manning had suggested trials of road closure using temporary bollards.
Question from the floor:
- What does ‘close the road’ mean?
- Make it a ‘no through road’.
‘No parking’ on Arbury Road has been considered as a possibility by the Council.
If the workshop is to be held in January, there is not much time to make suggestions.
Looking ahead, within ten years the government will prohibit combustion engines and there will be a need for electrical charging points to be widely available.
Suggestion from the floor:
- Limit vehicles over 7.5cwt from using the road?
- But what about emergency service vehicles?
- Ian understands that Arbury Road is no longer a principal route for emergency vehicles.
Ian Cooper said that Hurst Park estate is concerned at becoming more of a ‘rat run’ if we close the road.
Comments from the floor:
- Was ARERA too concerned about cyclists and not thinking enough about residents who have had front gardens made into parking spaces and find it difficult getting from there onto the road.
- It was great that so many had come to the meeting. Arbury Road does not work for residents and road users now but there was a will to improve things.
- There are now four crossings for pedestrians within a very short distance between the playground and Campkin road, which can be challenging for traffic.
- New broadband cable is being installed in the near future. This will mean roadworks.
Question from the floor:
- Q: What is the process for allocating money?
- A: Ian Cooper answered that it is complicated as we have to deal with both the City Council and the County Council and the City Deal Partnership. However Councillor Jocelyn Scutt has been a great advocate for the Residents Associations.
Proposed Parking Scheme
Vincent Poole spoke about the proposed Residents’ Parking Scheme.
Ascham Road and Gurney Way now have Resident Parking.
Commuter parking has moved from Gurney Way and Ascham Road to the Hurst Park Estate and it is now dangerous trying to drive along Hurst Park Avenue.
In the area referred to as ‘the Triangle’, which includes Herbert Street and George Street, commuters have added to the limited parking available to residents.
Councillor Ian Manning is keen to push through a scheme that would include ‘the Triangle’, Hurst Park Estate and Arbury Road, with same conditions applying in all those roads.
Where do commuters go next?
Comments from the floor:
- Should there be designated parking spaces for the shops? At the moment, vans and Lorries parked all over the pavement make things dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.
- What happens with Homes of Multiple Occupation where several residents have cars?
- Would all these areas have the same conditions of Resident Parking?
- If the aim is to stop commuters leaving a car all day, no parking between 12 and 2 is a possibility.
- Surely the Council should think holistically, for the whole of Cambridge and not just push commuter parking further and further out.
- There are no yellow lines on the Arbury Baptist Church side of the road. What is to stop parking on that side?
- This has been tried a few years ago but police arrived within a very short space of time to ask the owner of the car to move it.
Graham Edgeley said that the plan to make Histon Road one way going out of town, would probably be for at least a year while work was done and that he has heard that this would start in March 2020. Commuters would be directed along Madingley Road and King’s Hedges Road. But he feared that many would come along Arbury Road.
Limiting the weight of vehicles along Arbury Road is a good idea.
We must be ready with other suggestions.
The Constitution of Arbury Road East Residents’ Association
- Members may choose not to have their personal details shared with the Council
- Suggested membership fee is £5.00 (per person or per household? Committee to sort)
- Committee members in post for how long? 3years, when they may be re-elected
- Best practice is to hold an AGM and one open meeting a year
Agreement to use a bank
The Constitution was accepted by a vote of all present on 9/12/2019
Elections
11 of those present were willing to be committee members.
- George Vardulakis
- Jonathan Gorrie
- Vincent Poole
- Tracey Poole
- Maggie Fernie
- Ian Cooper
- James Westley
- Lucy Edgele
- Marilyn Smith
- Ros Lund
- Simon Crisp
Roles
Chair: Marilyn Smith
Vice chair: Lucy Edgeley
Secretaries: Ian Cooper, Maggie Fernie. Vincent Poole
Treasurers: Rosalind Lund and Simon Crisp
Newsletter: Jane Kroese
Website: John Barker and Vincent Poole
Cycling Schemes: George Vardulakis and Matthew Danish
Social events: James Westley
Representative for local businesses: (John at the butchers would be asked by his wife who was
present at the meeting)
Liaison with the Council: Vincent Poole and Ian Cooper
Liaison with Histon Road: Matthew Danish
Ros Lund thanked those who had been involved up till now and said how important it was to share everyone’s ideas.
The meeting concluded.
Minutes recorded by Maggie Fernie
Inaugural meeting
Arbury Road East Residents’ Association Inaugural Meeting
Baptist Church, Arbury Road, Cambridge
9th of December 7 – 9 pm
You are invited to a meeting where we propose to formally set up the Arbury Road East Residents’ Association. We suggest that the Residents’ Association (RA) will, once up and running, discuss improvements to the quality of life on the street -parking, conditions of pavement and road, and any other issues of concern to our residents, including social events.
At the meeting on the 9th, a constitution will be put forward for adoption (or amendment). It will also be important to elect a Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. We would be grateful for volunteers for these roles. If you would like to put yourself up for election to one of these roles or want to put someone forward for a role (with their permission), please let us know in advance. We are also interested in residents who could support the RA with IT, cycling schemes, creating promotional material, producing a newsletter or act to represent local businesses.
The viability of our RA will depend on how many of us are willing to be active in it. We suggest that we jointly act to cover each other in these roles through team work!
It is suggested that membership of the RA will be open to people living on Arbury Road East (from the North Cambridge Academy to Milton road), including those who live in cul de sacs opening on to it (Twickenham Court, Marfield Court, Havensfield, Austin Court and Maio Road) or run businesses on it.
We welcome as many people as possible!
Update 12th Jan 2020: the meeting has taken place, see the minutes.