Sustrans have had a vision for improving cycling conditions in Royston for many years. They have kindly shared their vision for the town with us which goes into great detail of the past, present and future visions for the town. View or download the report here

We are delighted that Cambs County Council has been successful in its application to fund an off road connection between Melbourn and Royston that will ensure pedestrians and cyclists can make this short journey safely. The regular flow of people over this one mile distance, whether for work, training, shopping or social reasons, has long demanded a natural route that allows people to move on their own steam. Our campaign has worked hard to promote the idea that an administrative boundary should not be neglectedand this is a great move in the right direction. We should thank all the local businesses that actively helped to support the funding bid, on the basis that this is a journey undertaken by their own employees. Thanks also to Sustrans and the Cambs County Council officers who pulled it all together.

90 new cycle racks have been added at Royston Station. This takes the total to 240. The new racks have been added on the Northbound side, so there are now racks adjacent to both platforms. It is reported that CCTV is now monitoring the car park which the cycle racks are located in.

The second annual A10 Corridor Cycle Campaign Awareness Ride took place on Sunday 18 May with simultaneous rides starting at Trumpington Park and Ride and Royston Heath, meeting at Phillimore Garden Centre, Melbourn.

Oliver Heald MP was on hand to wave the Royston cyclists off. Julian Huppert MP, who co-chairs the all-party Parliamentary Cycling Group, saw off the Trumpington riders.

Royston spokesperson Matthew Scales said, “The Royston ride saw 45 cyclists taking in a great deal of the newly developed cycle paths in and around the Burns Road area, as well as the fantastic Coombes Hole railway underpass.

“As the cyclists reached the A505, Sunday morning traffic proved more than enough to cause difficulties in getting safely across, highlighting the dangers of the A10/A505 junction – something that a much discussed bridge would clearly solve. As we hit the path adjacent to the A10, the narrow and severely broken tarmac was a shock to us all, making it surprisingly difficult to control a bicycle in places.”

Campaign Chairperson Susan van de Ven said, “We are working very hard to find a workable solution for the A505 crossing and are pleased to have a dialogue going with Hertfordshire County Council. As for the A10 path to Melbourn, we are waiting with anticipation to know the outcome of Cambridgeshire’s bid to the Local Sustainable Transport fund. It has been fantastic to have the support of Sustrans in working out much of the detail.”

Meanwhile 40 cyclists from Trumpington had to cross the M11 roundabout. A new cycle path currently under construction will soon connect Trumpington and Hauxton via the nearest farm bridge, allowing cyclists to ride safely off-road.

Mrs van de Ven said, “Harston is fraught for pedestrians and cyclists, as they are forced together on a narrow path along busy drives. When we arrived at the brand new cycle path connecting Foxton to Shepreth, we experienced instantly what is possible for the whole of the A10. You can cycle confidently if you are on a smooth surface, out of the way of traffic – that’s better for everyone.

“A cycle path is about one-twelfth the cost of a single carriageway road. Where the terrain is flat, distances are short, and road traffic is increasingly congested, safe cycling provision just makes sense.”

Matthew Scales added, “The ride from Royston was a massive success. Not only did it highlight the need for the improvements we are campaigning for but at last, we are seeing some real progress being made in both the work that has been carried out and also what is being targeted in the near future.”

“We would like to thank both Oliver Heald MP and Julian Huppert MP for their support and help raising the profile of our campaign.”

après vélo

The first of the pictures have been sent in of the 2014 awareness ride from the Trumpington start. We will write a more detailed report in coming days, but for now, a HUGE thank you to all who attended, supported and made the ride happen.

Update:Some pictures from the Royston start are now in

Trumpington

The campaign has been out raising awareness of the obstacle that the A505 presents to non motorised transport. This is a phenomenally busy piece of 70MPH dual carriageway with no sensible means of crossing from the paths leading up to it. You only have to look at the grass worn back to dirt in places between the large roundabouts to show you there is demand for foot and cycle travel around this area. Links to education, leisure, retail and work places are severely impeded by the poor crossing. Read about the activity in the CEN here.