On Sunday 17 November 2012 some 13 members in the Cambridge Section of the V-CC (Veteran Cycling Club) made good use of the newly opened Hauxton – Trumpington Cycle Path. All commented on how much more comfortable and safe this was than crossing two M11 slip roads via the M11/A10 roundabout. Cycling along this new stretch of cycle path was also a pleasure, as it takes you away from the traffic for approximately one mile . All are looking forward to being able to cycle more safely from their normal meeting place – Trumpington Road Park and Ride to Royston

The new path that runs through Trumpington Meadows Country Park has opened today. This should provide an attractive alternative to crossing the M11 roundabout. It may need to temporarily close occasionally as further work is carried out, we’ll advise as best we can. For now it is open to the public. We hear the surface has now been swept and tidied up, thank you to those who made that happen.

The route has been added the Open Street Map to plan your cycle journeys.

The path entrance at the Hauxton end:

Follow path across M11 bridge:

Exit is by Addenbrook’s Road at the Trumpington end:

GPS log show it is only 300 meters longer and you don’t have to wait to cross the M11 slip roads:

The minutes of the 2014 AGM are now available. You can view or download them here.

We’d like to thank our guest speakers who provided very useful updates and future plans with us.

The 2014 annual report and agenda for our AGM on October 15th are now available on the Events & Memoranda page. Click here to view the page and to see full details.

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