1. The ‘sod cutting ceremony’ for the start of works on the Shepreth-Melbourn cycleway took place on 24 October.  Construction is now underway from the northern end of the route at Dunsbridge Turnpike Shepreth.  It is happily ironic that while the overall Cambridge-Royston A10 cycle link scheme did not receive City Deal Tranche 1 funding, this segment of the project is City Deal funded and is the very first ‘spade in the ground’ for City Deal.  The rest of the scheme has thus far been funded by Department for Transport ‘Cycling Ambition’ grant.

2. Melbourn-Royston link – funding is needed. Cambridgeshire County Council, Hertfordshire County Council and The City Deal are strongly supportive of efforts by the Cambs/Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership to secure funding for this final section, which crosses a county border but falls entirely within the Cambs/Pet LEP remit.  A meeting with the LEP has been requested and a positive response received.

3. Royston campaigners have provided huge support to the overall campaign since its inception but there is understandable concern that nothing has yet been achieved in practical terms for  safe access out of Royston an onto the A10 corridor – lots of irons in the fire but the route is increasingly dangerous, with severe deterioration of the off-road track. To help keep this element of our campaign strong we have planned two events:

Informal get-together, Jolly Postie, Royston, 30 November 7:30PM

Santa cycle ride around Royston, 10 December, 10:30AM , from Royston Station –

Same Sustrans route as last year, suitable for families, with Santa hats and decorated bicycles.  It was agreed at our recent meeting that this should be an annual event, until the path-and-bridge link is in place.  We will not be fundraising this time, just raising awareness.  Please do come along. The start time is designed to work with the train timetable.

4. Works around Foxton Level Crossing:  Much planned work is currently taking place to final surfacing of the path, but urgent need for signage directing through cyclists to proceed via the Barrington Rd pedestrian gate over the level crossing has been flagged up.  Meanwhile we are awaiting Network Rail’s response to the recent public consultation on their proposal to close the Barrington Road level crossing gate, which would effectively sever the new A10 path.

5. A final decision on the Harston cycle scheme takes place at the Cambs County Council Economy and Environment Committee November 10.  If this is successful, then work would probably commence around summer 2017.

6. Maintenance:  After all the works at Foxton, Shepreth and Melbourn are completed, Cambridgeshire County Council will tidy up the whole of the A10 cycle route including siding out, cutting back hedges and overhanging branches.  At that point, the AstraZeneca maintenance grant will kick in and we should see a much higher standard of maintenance.  The grant means that the A10 will be a uniquely well maintained path.

Our AGM will be held late January/early February upstairs at the Shepreth Plough – date to be confirmed shortly and we’ll let you know.