Cambridge Area Bus Users note, from Causeway one.network, that a road closure has been granted for Cadent Gas from Mon 08/07/24 on Queen Edith’s Way, Cambridge between the Fendon Road roundabout and Wulfstan Way. As a result Stagecoach’s citi1/citi2 will be on diversionary routes.
Closure from Fendon Road roundabout to Wulfstan Way
Stagecoach have posted a service update. Following contact with their Cowley Road staff, we can conform these diversionary routes:
citi 1 be using Mowbray Road (A1134), Cherry Hinton Road, Wulfstan Road and Queen Edith’s Way between Fendon Road and Cherry Hinton High Street (Robin Hood junction)
citi 2 will be using Mowbray Road (A1134) and Cherry Hinton Road between Fendon Road and Walpole Road
The map, below, should help make these diversions clearer.
Click the image to view a larger version in a new tab
Stagecoach’s citi2 buses will again serve Parkside from Sunday 14th April 2024.
The Volvo electric buses allocated to the citi2 route will serve Parkside
Many years back, before the advent of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, Stagecoach’s citi2 route (towards Milton) stopped on Parkside, opposite the Fire Station. Then, as now, in the opposite direction (towards Addenbrooke’s) buses stopped at Mortimer Road (NaPTAN 0500CCITY370).
Cambridge Area Bus Users wondered, with the 905’s move to Drummer Street bus station releasing Parkside, Bay 16 (NaPTAN 0500CCITY476) whether this stop would be available for use by the citi2. So we asked. The response surprised us.
Rather than using Parkside, Bay 16, the citi2 buses will pick up and set down at the stop opposite the Fire Station – now known as The Busway, Parkside (0500CCITY117) – which was previously used.
The Busway Parkside (0500CCITY117) from Google Maps
Cambridge Area Bus Users welcomes this development as the stop…
will be useful for Grafton Area shoppers, with a largely traffic-free walking route to Fitzroy Street, via Melbourne Place and Eden Street;
will be of some use for passengers to/from Anglia Ruskin University in the evenings and weekends (when the access from Mackenzie Road is closed);
will serve students, staff and visitors to Parkside College.
Members and others will no doubt have seen reports in the local media about work on the Southern Busway between Hills Road bridge and the Addenbrooke’s Spur Junction, based on this press release – Guided Busway works begin to allow closure to be lifted, 06 February 2024 – from Cambridgeshire County Council.
Since February 2022, a section of the Guided Busway in one direction has been closed between Cambridge Railway Station and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The inbound only track (closest to the maintenance track) was closed to allow for a temporary fence to be installed without reducing the width of the path used by pedestrians and cyclists. This measure has severely impacted the busway service and connections to key employment and health facilities.
The temporary fence was installed whilst we waited for an independent safety review and following ongoing communications with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and as part of our continuous review of safety on the busway.
The busway and the maintenance track (foot and cycle track) are currently programmed to re-open on Saturday 30 March.
Cambridge Area Bus Users wondered about speed limits, and asked some questions
The questions, and responses from a Cambridgeshire County Council Highways officer are shown below.
What northbound speed limit is proposed on the guideway?
The proposed speed limit will be the 30 mph restriction that was in place before the installation of the safety barrier, and which is in place on all of the operational parts of the southern section
Will this be mandated by the HSE, or at the discretion of Cambridgeshire County Council?
There has been no reference made by the HSE as to a required speed limit. As mentioned previously, the pre-existing speed limit will be in place when the closed guideway re-opens.
What is the justification for the 15mph limit on northbound buses leaving the guideway towards Station Place?
The speed limit was lowered to 15 mph several years ago, due to the increasing numbers of pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised traffic in this area. There is a transition area directly at the northern end of the Cambridge-bound guideway where cyclists cross between the carriageway and the maintenance track in both directions, and where there is more interaction with pedestrians using the maintenance track and the footpath towards Station Place. In addition, there is subsidiary traffic entering and leaving the same are via the access from the Obsidian development adjacent to the Busway.
Could this be raised to a 30mph limit?
While it would be possible to raise the speed limit to any required level, the Council would not wish to exponentially increase the risk of a collision with non-Busway traffic, and the increased likelihood of major injury or death arising from such an increase. The current speed limit allows bus drivers more time to react to what can be unpredictable movement by non-Busway users.
What is the justification for the 30mph limit on the southbound guideway to the Addenbrooke’s spur junction?
The speed limit across the entire southern section was reduced to a blanket level of 30 mph some years ago, largely in response to the increased numbers of pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised traffic arising from the construction of new housing developments, and the expansion of the Biomedical Campus at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The speed limit is also in keeping with those in place on the road network around the Busway corridor.
Can the southbound guideway – separated from the cycleway/footway/maintenance track by the northbound guideway, and the new fence – revert to the original 56mph limit?
Whilst it would be possible to raise the pre-existing speed limit to the original speed limit of 56 mph, there is no compelling case to do so. The maximum theoretical transit time gained through increasing the speed limit to 56 mph over this limited distance would be approximately 62 seconds, assuming that a bus entered and left this section of guideway at that speed. However, as the speed limits at either end of the section would be lower, there would be a period on entry where a bus would need to accelerate to the maximum permitted speed, and subsequently a period where the bus would need to decelerate before exiting the guideway to match the speed limit in place at the end of the guideway. These actions would reduce the gains in transit time well below the theoretical maximum.
In addition, and possibly of a greater impact , all buses that use the southern section have their speeds regulated by on-bus control systems using GPS-based geo-fencing. The accuracy of these systems does not have sufficient accuracy to allow for differing speeds on the guideway tracks that are immediately adjacent to each other.
If the 30mph limit is mandated by the HSE, will the County Council and Combined Authority press the HSE to allow the limit to be raised?
As stated above, the HSE have not made reference to any required speed limit in the southern section. The rationale for the 30 mph has already been addressed in my response regarding your question on the 30 mph limit on the southbound guideway. As I have already stated, there is no compelling case to increase the speed limit, and the technology in use to regulate bus speeds currently in use would preclude a separate speed limit for one section of guideway in this section.
Whilst a 15mph limit is required for southbound buses at the point of entry to the southbound guideway, why does this apply from the junction with Station Place?
The reasons are the same as stated above, in response to your question regarding the 15 mph speed limit for buses leaving the northbound guideway.
Could this apply only from the overhead hanging height limit warning signs before the Hills Road bridge, with the 30mph limit applicable in Station Place continuing up to this point?
As outlined above, given the levels of non-Busway traffic using the area, there would be little to gain by doubling the speed limit for buses over such a short distance, and any gains in transit time would be negligible. The area between Station Place and the height restriction barrier is where large numbers of pedestrians cross the roadway from the station side to reach the path that eventually joins the maintenance track adjacent to the guideway south of Hills Road bridge, and an increase in the speed limit would increase the likelihood and severity of a collision between buses and non-Busway traffic.
We look forward to the re-opening and, even with the lower speed limits in both directions, buses will, once again be able to avoid the traffic congestion on Hills Road (which the Greater Cambridge Partnership and others seems reluctant to tackle).
The images displayed here are from BusAndTrainUser the retirement activity for Roger French OBE DL MA, former MD of Brighton&Hove Bus Cº, a blogging site which we are pleased to promote.
Here are some details from the launch event at West Hub, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0US, on Friday 29th September 2023.
One of the nine Mellor Sigma 12 buses serving the U1/U2 routes This is one of two with personalised registration marks Note the cameras which replace traditional exterior mirrors
We don’t intend to duplicate reports from elsewhere, but add a few details about the vehicles and the attention to detail which has gone into the new vehicles and the re-imagined routes.
Reports from the University and the news media, give the overview and key details of the new U1/U2 7-day/week service from Girton Corner to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. (Yes, the Biomedical Campus is served on Sundays, and Newnham gains a Sunday bus service to the rail station and the Biomedical Campus.)
The nine Mellor Sigma 12 buses – designed, engineered and fitted out in the UK – have two wheelchair/buggy bays (each with three tip-up seats for when not fully occupied by wheelchairs or child buggies) and ten highly-accessible, fixed, high-back seats on the low-floor section, forward of the raised area to the rear, under which some of the batteries are housed.
Interior of one of the Mellor Sigma 12 vehicles showing ten highly-accessible, fixed, high-back seats on the low-floor section, forward of the raised area
Above the front wheel arches are three slightly-wider single seats designed to accommodate a parent with a small child.
One of the three slightly-wider single seats designed to accommodate a parent with a small child
Smartphone getting low on its charge? The University, Whippet and Mellor have the solution…
You can charge up wirelessly, or with your USB-A or USB-C cable Note, also, the STOP button on the seat-back and the button for the reading lamp
Passengers benefit from clear audio-visual announcements for the direction of travel (eg ‘Towards Girton Corner’) and the next stop, comfortable high-backed seats (ten of which are accessible on the low-floor section), two wheelchair/buggy bays, multi-way phone charging, a STOP button on every seat-back, and even a reading-lamp to help decipher those all-important marginalia.
Drivers have the benefits of external cameras at the front (replacing traditional mirrors) and at the rear, an AI-assisted hazard detection system, fully adjustable driving-seat, steering wheel and a dashboard which adjusts with the wheel.
The enhanced audio-visual announcements mentioned above are only part of the mission to remove anxiety from bus travel. The installation of seat-back STOP buttons in addition to more traditionally-located buttons help those with hidden disabilities. But these features are only part of the integrated mission.
West Hub bus stop, towards Cambridge Biomedical Campus
All stops have been updated with a printed timetable in a weatherproof case, and a bus stop flag which shows the direction of travel. Wherever possible, bus stops have many more passenger-friendly features.
The West Hub bus stop shown in the foregoing photograph, has a shelter with integrated seating, good hard-standing, a printed timetable in a weatherproof case, e-paper real-time passenger information, and gives easy access to the bus for wheelchair users. The bus stop flag reads ‘towards city centre, rail station & Biomedical Campus’.
This stop fulfils all of the criteria for quality Bus stop infrastructure in our joint briefing paper with Living Streets, Cambridge.
A feature to give a smile
The other of the two vehicles with personalised registration marks
Recently, Roger French OBE DL MA, BusAndTrainUser, visited Whippet as part of his fortnightly A to Z of bus and train companies. Read the blogpost here: W is for Whippet.
Significant changes to the University’s “Universal” (or “U”) service are taking place on Monday 2nd October.
Two distinct services are being created, to be known as “U1” and “U2”.
U1 is essentially the same as the extended version of the current service – the one that calls at Girton Corner (but only a very few times a day at present). Throughout most of the day alternate services will extend to/from Girton Corner, but otherwise follow the existing route (except that journeys towards Girton Corner call adjacent to Eddington Sainsbury’s and not across the road).
U2 takes a different route between Grange Road and Queen’s College, serving the whole of Grange Road and Barton and Newnham Roads between Grange Road and Silver Street. Omitting, therefore, West Road. Some U2 journeys extend to/from Girton Corner.
One other significant change is that weekend services will again serve the Biomedical Campus (as happened during the Covid pandemic).
Overall frequency remains unchanged. Services from the Biomedical Campus continue to serve Homerton College (and Hills Road more generally) whilst the northbound lane of the southern section of the Busway remains closed to buses.
The service is operated by Whippet on behalf of the University of Cambridge.
The new timetable – and a handy route map for those unfamiliar with the area – is available from the Whippet website.
GCP’s contractors will be closing the A1307 between Haverhill and Fourwentways roundabout, from 6am on Saturday 15th July until 6am on Monday 17th July. They have also booked a contingency weekend for 22nd – 24th July for further possible overnight closure, but hope to complete the works in full during the first weekend.
However, no mention was* made of arrangements for the 04:55 Haverhill Ann Suckling Road departure on on Monday 17th July. This is due at Linton High St 05:44; Abington School 05:53; Addenbrooke’s 06:08 and Cambridge Drummer Street Bus station 06:28.
This journey was* scheduled through the road closure ahead of the road’s scheduled re-opening.
Scroll down to see the update for Monday morning. (* Tenses altered from ‘is’ to ‘was’ following the latest update from Stagecoach
A1307 diversionary route 6am Saturday 15 July until 6am on Monday 17 July Click the image to view/download a higher resolution PDF
Given the lack of passenger information, and the proximity of the date for the works, this was raised with GCP Board members Cllr Mike Davey (Cambridge city), Cllr Elisa Meschini (Cambs county) and Cllr Brian Milnes (South Cambridgeshire) Cc: Councillor Anna Smith (Cambridge city, and political lead on transport at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority).
I am concerned about bus service arrangements (route 13) for the A1307 road closure, 15-17 July 2023.
Given the lack of response to my email [to the GCP and Stagecoach, on 22 June 2023 at 12:00] I thought it wise to raise this as a urgent matter at the political level of the Greater Cambridge Partnership Board, with Councillor Anna Smith Cc-ed in her capacity as political lead on transport with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
I received no reply [to that earlier email] from any recipient. Nor is there any information on the Stagecoach website about what changes there will be to route 13 from 6am on Saturday 15 July until 6am on Monday 17 July.
Cambridge Area Bus Users are now receiving queries about this service.
I would be grateful if this could be urgently investigated and publicity for intending passengers made available.
Secretary, Cambridge Area Bus Users email, Monday, July 10, 2023 16:09
Cambridge Area Bus Users would like to put on record thanks to Cambridge City Councillor Anna Smith, in her capacity as political lead on transport (and Deputy Mayor) at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, and the Combined Authority’s Public Transport Team for their active intervention.
Update: 1st service on Monday 17th July
Click the above image to visit the service Update on the Stagecoach website
(We don’t know. Do Stagecoach? Do the Greater Cambridge Partnership?)
GCP’s contractors will be closing the A1307 between Haverhill and Fourwentways roundabout, from 6am on Saturday 15 July until 6am on Monday 17 July. They have also booked a contingency weekend for 22 – 24 July for further possible overnight closure, but hope to complete the works in full the previous weekend.
A1307 diversionary route 6am Saturday 15 July until 6am on Monday 17 July Click the image to view/download a higher resolution PDF
The Linton Greenway works from Hildersham to Dale Head Foods has been substantially completed, and the pathway and road are fully open.
Our original intention was to complete the planned carriageway surfacing by closing the A1307 between Haverhill and Fourwentways roundabout weekdays overnight, and diverting traffic on National Highways roads.
However, we have now been advised that it is only possible to use this diversion at weekends.
Greater Cambridge Partnership email, 21 Jun 2023, at 10:50
Our secretary promptly raised this with the GCP and senior management at Stagecoach East.
I note that there will be a road closure of the A1307 between Haverhill and Fourwentways roundabout (save for local access) from 6am on Saturday 15 July until 6am on Monday 17 July 2023, for re-surfacing.
This will impact upon Stagecoach East’s route 13 Cambridge – Haverhill which operates 7 days/week providing important links to Addenbrooke’s and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
Has the Greater Cambridge Partnership, prior to this announcement, liaised with Stagecoach East to agree suitable diversionary routing for this key bus service throughout the resurfacing work?
Secretary, Cambridge Area Bus Users email, 22 June 2023 at 12:00
At the time of posting, we have received no response from Stagecoach nor from the GCP.
Stagecoach’s Service Updates (East) page has no mention of changes to route 13 on these dates.
Given the lack of passenger information, and the proximity of the date for the works, this was raised with GCP Board members Cllr Mike Davey (Cambridge city), Cllr Elisa Meschini (Cambs county) and Cllr Brian Milnes (South Cambridgeshire) Cc: Councillor Anna Smith (Cambridge city, and political lead on transport at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority).
I am concerned about bus service arrangements (route 13) for the A1307 road closure, 15-17 July 2023.
Given the lack of response to my email [to the GCP and Stagecoach] I thought it wise to raise this as a urgent matter at the political level of the Greater Cambridge Partnership Board, with Councillor Anna Smith Cc-ed in her capacity as political lead on transport with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
I received no reply [to that earlier email] from any recipient. Nor is there any information on the Stagecoach website about what changes there will be to route 13 from 6am on Saturday 15 July until 6am on Monday 17 July.
Cambridge Area Bus Users are now receiving queries about this service.
I would be grateful if this could be urgently investigated and publicity for intending passengers made available.
Secretary, Cambridge Area Bus Users email, Monday, July 10, 2023 16:09
A brief, but prompt and helpful, response was forthcoming from Cllr Anna Smith…
Thanks,
I’ve forwarded this to officers and ask that we leverage this with Stagecoach.
Anna
Cllr Anna Smith (Cambridge City – Coleridge) email, 10 Jul 2023, at 16:40,
Cambridge Area Bus Users would like to help intending passengers with a service update. However, we are awaiting information.
Cambridge Area Bus Users 