This month we’ve had to say farewell to John Meadows, a great friend and champion for safe cycling on the A10. He’s pictured here at Royston Town Hall a few years ago, third from left, following a meeting of the A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign with Cambridgeshire County Council officer Simon Manville, who gave a sneak preview of the proposed Melbourn Greenway and the link to Royston, a scheme that was formally adopted by the Greater Cambridge Partnership in June 2020.

John was also at the inaugural meeting of the A10 Campaign in January 2013, with a big smile and ready to do absolutely anything necessary to make the bridge to Royston a reality. Every year he’d say, ‘it’s been 2-3-4-5-6-7-8! years – why haven’t we got the bridge yet?’ As a former Royston Town Councillor, he knew first-hand the bureaucracies of local government. Equally, he understood how vital it was to develop strong relationships in every quarter – and he was always the first to spot potential and cultivate these.

‘Keep smiling!’ John would always say, encouraging us on our way. His trademark red hair and red bicycles were emblematic of his unrestrained passion, and often at campaign meetings, Jill would put her hand gently on John’s arm. We all knew it was coming and indeed it was John’s passion that injected the fire we needed for the campaign – and after each meeting we knew we’d taken another step forward. Once when a tour was offered to a key official who wanted to experience first-hand the awful existing A10 path between Royston and Melbourn, John arranged to loan one of his bicycles for the occasion. He said to Jill with a grin, ‘Let’s make sure we pump up those tyres to the max. Those potholes need to be fully appreciated!’

A multitude of friendships and traditions have evolved out of the A10 Campaign, including the Tuesday morning Meldreth Marvels cycling group, in which John and Jill have taken part for many years. Still awaiting the safe link to Royston, John and Jill would load their bikes into the back of their car to make the short trip to Meldreth, cycling on with the Marvels from there. While ‘the last mile’ to Royston is still awaited, today the A10 corridor looks very different from when the A10 Campaign kicked off in 2013, and the Marvels always meander onto the network of cycle paths that now feature on the A10 corridor between Melbourn and Cambridge.

When the bridge to Royston is finally built, we’ll be there on its crest with our bicycles, toasting John.

Susan van de Ven

Photos courtesy of Gerald C.

The A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign is delighted to announce the return of the annual A10 Awareness Ride, which takes place Sunday 3 October.

The family friendly ride departs from Trumpington Park and Ride at 10:30am, heading to Phillimore Garden Centre Melbourn for refreshments. The ride will stick to the dedicated off-road multi-use path and marshals will be stationed at all junctions and crossing points.

Campaign Chair and Cambs County Councillor Susan van de Ven said:

‘We’re delighted to be able to come together again for what has always been an annual event, like so many other things, missed out during last year’s lockdown.

For anyone who has yet to take up cycling for health, leisure, or work and college commuting, and doesn’t yet know the A10 cycle path, please come along. This will also be an opportunity to get updated on how the existing cycle network will be expanded and improved by the Greater Cambridge Partnership as part of the ‘Melbourn Greenway’ plan. Most notably, a path and bridge connecting Melbourn and Royston is in the plan and would absolutely transform local travel patterns and opportunities within a very small geography.’

Ride Leader and Royston resident Francis Sedgemore said:

‘We’d like to thank everyone who’s volunteered to help out as a marshal, or with refreshments. All key junctions and crossing points will be managed by our marshals. We’re really looking forward to welcoming families with young children on the ride once again. There is no charge for the ride – all you need to do is turn up.’

Terry Adams, Royston resident who commutes to work in South Cambs, said:

‘Until we have a pedestrian/cycle bridge over the A505, most people won’t be willing to risk cycling between Royston and South Cambs. The bridge and path connecting Royston and Melbourn can’t come soon enough.’

Camcycle CEO Roxanne De Beaux said: ‘It’s great to see an expansion of the cycle network into the villages. The Melbourn Greenway will make a huge improvement to the current A10 route and we’ve been delighted to support this project from its inception.’

This year’s Ride is hosted in partnership with Camcycle, representing the Cambridge end of the A10 corridor, and is supported also by Hertfordshire County and District Councillors.

Contact: Susan van de Ven, A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign chair, 0790532557

We’re delighted to announce that our annual family friendly A10 Awareness Ride will take place on Sunday October 3rd, setting off from Trumpington Park and Ride at 10:30AM and heading to Phillimore Garden Centre in Melbourn for refreshments. 

The ride will stick to the existing path and there will be a chance to learn about improvements to come with the Melbourn Greenway scheme.  

If you’d like to volunteer to help as a marshal or with refreshments, please let us know.

We have a general meeting on July 12th via Zoom. We hope you are well and getting about on your bikes more than ever and would love to see you.

The deadline for the Cambridgeshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan closes on July 13 – do please take a moment to respond if you can:
https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/ccc-local-cycling-and-walking-infrastructure-plan-consultation-2021

A PDF of this report can be viewed or downloaded here.

We’ll be holding our next meeting, which will also be our AGM, on January 18, 7:30-8:30PM – this will be by Zoom, and we’ll send a link nearer the time. If you wish to be sent a link, contact us and we’ll send a link through closer to the time.

An Agenda can be viewed or downloaded here

The Annual Report can be viewed or downloaded here

The Treasurers Report can be viewed or downloaded here

The last meeting minutes can be viewed or downloaded here

Update,

We have received the following reply to the thank you notes from AstraZeneca:

Thank you Susan, this is lovely.  Makes it all worthwhile.  The A10cycle campaign is a great case study on how to progress complex projects by always maintaining positive relationships with all stakeholders, despite the challenges.

Best wishes Andy

Many thanks to all who wrote in.

We’ve some great notes from members of the cycle campaign thanking AstraZeneca for the exceptional support they have shown to the campaign. Here is a selection below:

From all at the A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign

Your help with maintenance for the A10 path has been invaluable especially during the
Pandemic. The path has been very well maintained and as a result there has been a
dramatic increase in usage over the last year. It is normal to meet cyclists, children, walkers,
runners, mobility aids, dogs and even a horse. Thank you for allowing us use of your
conference room. It has been a really good relationship.
Many thanks.
Mike

The path has made such a difference to my cycling into and out of Cambridge and also
improved my running routes that head in that direction. The maintenance has allowed for
the distancing needed over the last9 months too.
Thanks AstraZeneca,
David
Melbourn

Thank you for your support in helping maintain this – it is truly appreciated
Rupert

I work in a company on the same site in Babraham Research Campus where AZ has a
facility. The regions close to AZ sites all have great cycle paths with the most dangerous part
of my route being within 1 mile of Royston. Thank you AZ for supporting safe sustainable
and healthy cycle routes to work for the scientific community that have to travel from
Royston
Joe

Dear AstraZeneca,
Thank you for your generous contribution to maintain the A10 bike path. I have used it
regularly to commute to Cambridge in any weather, to go shopping, and — during lockdown
-also for family cycling and inline skating with the kids. Having the path fully functional
has greatly improved life in Meldreth.
Adam

Having this path maintained makes a huge difference especially at night. In addition to
general commuters the path does provide an almost entirely off-road route between the AZ
sites in Melbourn Science park and Academy/City House beside Cambridge station.
Neil
As a year-round commuter along the A10 path, that on the dark winter nights with car
headlights reducing visibility, having the path at its full width, cleared of debris and
overhanging branches, enables the path to be a real all round serious proposition for
commuting. It allows us to pass other users without having to get too close and generally
makes it a safer place to be for all types of users. Many thanks for the huge contribution you
have made.
Ian

Thank you AstraZeneca, for your fantastic support for the A10 Corridor cycling campaign
over the past few years. Particular thanks for providing a maintenance grant to help us keep
the path free from vegetation. Having a cycle path is one thing; having one that is
maintained so you can use the full width is quite another and it has been a real boon to me
as a walker, runner and cyclist. And in all those modes, I can use the path safely alongside
other users, because there is room for all of us to use the path without being too close to one
another – so important at this time. In short, you have contributed significantly to a major
improvement to many people’s lives. Thank you!
From a grateful Melbourn resident

We’ve been uniquely lucky to have AstraZeneca’s support in keeping the A10 path clear for
safe cycling all year round. The arrangement has given us some good ideas for a sustainable
long-term maintenance plan which we hope can be replicated in other parts of South Cambs
as well. Thank you for all the work behind the scenes to make this happen, and indeed for
your support from the very beginning. we’ve been very lucky to have you in Melbourn!
Many thanks,
Susan
Chair, A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign

We cycle the A10 path regularly for shopping trips, doctor/dentist visits in Cambridge and
often just for exercise! It is a joy to ride this path (especially at night) knowing it is clear of
brambles and low branches. Thank you, AstraZeneca, for providing such tangible and
practical support that directly benefits local people!
Ron and Julie
Foxton

I have been very grateful for the verge maintenance on the A10 cycle path between Royston
and Melbourn over the last few years. Particularly in the dark the brambles and long grass
became hazardous as they grew over the narrow path. My commute has changed and so I
use the path much less frequently now, but I certainly did appreciate the maintenance on a
daily basis.
Best regards,
Ann

I’m writing to thank you for your support for the A10 cycle path over the past few years –
both for your political support through the GCP and for AZ’s direct contribution to path
maintenance. Having the support of such a prominent business has really helped make the
case for further investment in “active travel”by the local authorities. It has made a lasting
contribution to the local community, for which we are verygrateful. We look forward to
continuing to work with you and the AstraZeneca Cambridge team in the coming years.
Yours sincerely,
Mike
Vice Chair, A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign

Dear Astrazeneca,

Thank you for funding the A10 Cycle Path maintenance. I am a regular
commuter into Cambridge and see how quickly branches grow over the path
making it more difficult to ride. I see many riders coming the other way
during my commute and having full width of the path allows us to pass
safely without having to stop all the time. I’m sure that without
regular maintenance the path would become overgrown and less used
meaning fewer cycists and more cars on the road.

Thank you,
Mark

Ron and Terry met in the rain with their secateurs at the brambles on the cycle path near Sagentia Harston. They cut back a big swathe, resulting in a wider path at that point – and exposed a lost solar stud.

Earlier, the vegetation maintenance group met to review the current state of play. Here are our notes:AstraZeneca’s temporary £5k maintenance grant comes to an end at the close of this calendar year, as expected. Recognizing that County Highways does no more routine maintenance than cut the verge twice per year, action is needed to ensure a decent level of path maintenance.Susan would inquire about attending the forthcoming Greater Cambridge Partnership meeting to raise the subject of a Greenway vegetation maintenance plan for the A10.Ron had created a list of maintenance jobs for Herts and Cambs Grounds Maintenance (our contractor for the duration of AZ grant funding) and would liaise with them to agree on details, timing and reporting back of any problems.

Meanwhile, please all do use these public reporting sites for ‘faults’:County Highways – For dangerously overhanging vegetation, obstructions to solar stud lights, and any other faults to the path please log at:https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/…/roadworks-and-faultsSouth Cambridgeshire District Council Street Care and Cleaning – For sweeping the path of cuttings and leaf fall – please follow instructions at:https://www.scambs.gov.uk/envir…/street-care-and-cleaning/‘

Meeting on the path with secateurs’:We would call for any volunteers willing to help cut back vegetation by hand. This should be an easy and effective activity to conduct on an occasional basis (and can be done one-legged as demonstrated by Ron!).

We’re delighted to report that the Melbourn Greenway scheme was approved by the Greater Cambridge Partnership Board meeting on 25 June. This is a big step forward in providing improvements right along our route, which we’ll explain in more detail below. Importantly, it means that the local authorities will start the detailed design and land acquisition process for these improvements, including a new path and bridge between Royston and Melbourn. Pleasingly, all three of the decision-makers spoke in favour of the Royston connection – there is real political support to make this happen, and is a real vindication of our long campaign to get it built!

You can see the report here https://bit.ly/31z1VDl (page 216 onwards) and watch the meeting decision discussion here: https://youtu.be/_TKHCWb28xU  (4 hours 4 minutes in).

The scheme is currently specified only in outline, but includes the following improvements (starting at the Royston end):

–          A bridge from Royston over the A505 (in cooperation with Hertfordshire County Council)

–          A new path along the east side of the A10 (opposite side to the existing path) linking the new bridge with Melbourn village

–          Changes to Melbourn village centre including a 20mph speed limit, on-road cycle lanes and improvements to junctions

–          Improvements in Foxton and Shepreth, linking both villages to the existing A10 path, and reducing the speed limit in Foxton to 20mph.

–          Improvements at Foxton Level Crossing, with a new 30mph speed limit (reduced from the present 50mph), narrowing the road and providing a cycle lane over the main crossing as well as retaining the existing wicket gates

–          A new path through the fields around Harston, allowing cyclists to avoid the village centre – this will start from Church End and rejoin the existing path at Rectory Farm in Hauxton. A connection to Haslingfield is also planned as part of a later scheme.

–          The existing narrow path north of Harston will be widened to 3m

–          The route through the Trumpington Meadows Country park will be revised and straightened as part of plans to build a park-and-ride site (“Hauxton Travel Hub”) between the A10 and M11. This will include a new foot/cycle bridge over the M11 adjacent to the existing concrete farm bridge.

So, what happens now? Council officers will begin the process of getting to a detailed design, which will include appointing consultants to do the design work and briefing them on what is wanted. The design process is forecast to take about two years. There will then need to be a further authorisation by the Board to construct the scheme, and planning permission will be needed for several aspects. There is still campaign work for us to do to ensure that the scheme gets built in a way that gives maximum benefit to the local community. The scheme is due for completion before 2025, but we hope that at least some of it will be done before then!

The importance of the A505 bridge was highlighted by each member of the Board, and support and financial contributions from Royston and Melbourn businesses toward the bridge were specifically cited as evidence of the strong demand for cycle to work in a cross-county border setting.

As county councillors, Fiona Hill and Steve Jarvis in Herts and Susan van de Ven in Cambs, together with their respective officers, are working closely together on vital cross-county collaboration for next steps.

At the same meeting, the Board also approved plans to construct a station car park for Foxton station (branded as “Foxton Travel Hub”). We will be liaising directly with GCP officers to try and get the best possible design – especially where the A10 cycle path meets access points for Foxton and Hauxton Travel Hubs.

Timescales may seem slow but we believe this to be a milestone decision for very significant improvements to the Royston-Cambridge cycle link.