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Modal filter (cycle gate) at Roseford Road outside the Chapel

From "Phase 1: Understanding your neighbourhood and establishing a vision (map)"

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We would like to have a modal filter installed on Roseford Road as an appropriate traffic management measure outside the Chapel with the purposes of:

1.    improving safety by preventing speeding cars, van and lorries especially during rush hour - this is getting seriously dangerous with speeds commonly in the 40-50 mph range (it's a 20-mph zone).

2.    creating a more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly environment.

3.    creating a more community focused and friendly environment for young families of which there are many on the road.

4.    restoring Roseford Road's design (when originally built) as a no through road for cars, van and lorries.

5.    preventing cars, vans and lorries from rat-running when they should really should be using the main roads especially given the multi-million-pound investments in upgrades made to Histon Road in the past couple of years.

There have been numerous close misses including an incident outside the home of a resident on Roseford Road involving a teenage boy, as he was returning from school one day. He was travelling west along the road clearly indicated to turn right and moved to the middle of the road so that he could turn and enter the driveway of his house. As he was about to turn, a vehicle overtook him from behind at speed (it’s a 20-mph zone) and very nearly knocked him off his bike. Dangerous driving/speeding is very common along Roseford Road despite it being in a 20-mph zone, largely because it is a long, straight road (with no traffic calming measures at all) and because it is a rat run to avoid the traffic lights at the Gilbert Road/Histon Road junction. It would be awful if a person was injured or killed because a driver was impatient or otherwise unwilling to drive safely in a residential area with many pedestrians and cyclists, including school children.

Modal filters (cycle gates) are a common feature in Cambridge and have transformed streets that have them, but they are underused in the north of the city - we implore you introduce more modal filters and rebalance the levels of safety on our city's roads.

Thank you for considering our concerns and attempting to improve the surrounding area for kids, families, cyclists and pedestrians.

Comments(11)

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Profile of Rosalind Lund
Posted by:Rosalind Lund
3 years ago
Great idea! Definitely should not be used as a rat run.
    Profile of Becky Males
    Posted by:Becky Males
    3 years ago
    This is a very bad idea. Some of the reasons have already been mentioned. Access for emergency vehicles, sending local residents on longer and more difficult journeys just to get out of their own neighbourhood and pushing more traffic on to other roads. This is not used as a rat run, simply as one of the ways to get into or out of the local area to or from Histon road.
    • 2 likes
    Profile of Charles Jones
    Posted by:Charles Jones
    3 years ago
    It looks like area-wide traffic calming is needed, perhaps including pinch-points (e.g. Grange Rd) as well as changes of level and speed bumps at appropriate spots. Stephen’s point about the original traffic design is important. Planners rightly had the safety of residents in mind whether on foot, bike or mobility scooter, and failed to anticipate high levels of motor vehicles in the area.
    • 1 like
    Profile of Becky Males
    Posted by:Becky Males
    3 years ago
    @Charles Jones there are already pinch points on Roseford Road caused by residents parking their cars on the road. The problem with installing speed bumps is that it promotes damage to the road resulting in potholes and then very expensive damage to cars as well as increased risk to all road users.
      Profile of Anna Ghale
      Posted by:Anna Ghale
      3 years ago
      It will make it difficult for Perse Way residents to access Histon Road. Residents of Perse way also struggle with speeding cars. Speed bumps would go a long way to reducing speed and also residents only parking. Lots of commuters park on Perse Way making travelling, walking, cycling hazardous. Also better lighting for walking safety. Also you need to think about access for emergency vehicles. We have quite an elderly community and they need to be able to access places by car or taxi. Also consider people who are disabled and need to use the Dial a Ride and other transport. I understand the concern and need to reduce speed of cars but we need to think of all our community and their needs. There must be a way we can reduce speeds and make the area safe without such big restriction.
      • 1 like
      Profile of Richard Wood
      Posted by:Richard Wood
      3 years ago
      Too many residential streets are mis-used as through traffic routes. The safety of residents, pedestrians and cyclists should be the top priority.
      • 1 like
      Profile of Tracy Batber
      Posted by:Tracy Batber
      3 years ago
      @Richard Wood residents who drive cars Richard not just residents who walk and ride bikes / residents should have the same curtsey not one being ostracised for their choice
      • 2 likes
      Profile of Patricia Curry
      Posted by:Patricia Curry
      3 years ago
      Most people do not use this as a 'rat run' but the way of getting from where they live to their destination. This would add traffic to other roads making them less safe. Would also add time to emergency vehicles trying to access addresses quicker by using Roseford Road. An extremely bad idea.
      • 2 likes
      Profile of Rosalind Lund
      Posted by:Rosalind Lund
      3 years ago
      @Patricia Curry Emergency vehicles would be able to either use their key to get through, or would tell you that there is another route which is just as quick.
      • 1 like
      Profile of Becky Males
      Posted by:Becky Males
      3 years ago
      @Rosalind Lund not true. It slows them down and when minutes or even seconds may be critical to saving a life why should they have to do this? Emergency vehicles hate these stupid filters that benefit a minority of people.
      • 2 likes
      Profile of Tracy Batber
      Posted by:Tracy Batber
      3 years ago
      Absolutely not - your just making it difficult for the rest of the community who do not use this road a rat run and pushing us to go different ways and make more traffic else where your just moving the issue , put a speed camera up , signs etc
      • 3 likes

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      Posted by

      Profile of Stephen DowdStephen Dowd on 1 September 2023

      Current status

      proposed

      Tags

      Mobility
      Safety
      Public spaces and buildings
      Education and youth
      Health and welfare
      Community development

      Location

      Roseford Road, Cambridge, UK