There is a Greater Cambridge Partnership (GPC) proposal to remove the roundabout at the junction of East Road and Elizabeth Way Cambridge which needs to be brought to the attention of the public and particularly those who traverse the area regularly, perhaps daily on their way to work, school or the shops.

The proposal involves:

• Removal of the subway system and filling in of the large central sunken area to create a four-way junction on a single flat surface with no roundabout.
• Light controlled pedestrian crossings on each of the four roads of the junction.
• Cycle lanes on both sides of each of the four roads leading to the junction where a ring of cycle paths would run across the four roads – presumably these would be light controlled, and it also appears the ring would allow two way cycling round it.
• Removal of the traffic light controlled cycle and pedestrian crossing over Newmarket Rd at Abbey Street.

This proposal is to some extent hidden in a large set of proposals for redesigning the whole length of Newmarket Road and relocation of the Park and Ride site out by the airport, to be by the A14 junction at Quy. Two consultation events were publicised for the whole scheme but they were both located in Barnwell, over a mile away from the East Rd area.

Petersfield City Cllr Richard Robertson said “At our insistence a third consultation event is now to be held near the roundabout and this will be at the ARU Lord Ashcroft Building in Broad St, off East Rd on Tuesday 7th March from 5.30 to 7.30pm. GPC officers will be there with the plans and ready to explain and answer questions about the proposals.”

Petersfield County Cllr Richard Howitt said: “This is a major entry point to Cambridge city centre, which experiences very large traffic flows and where we very much want to see a better environment for walkers and cyclists. The plan to replace the under-passes is a major change and it is important local people are made aware of the proposed changes and the best solutions for all users are found.”

Abbey County Cllr Alex Bulat: “An overhaul of the junction and its use by those on foot, bicycle and in motor vehicles was well over due. We want everyone affected to tell us what they think about the changes proposed. Would they like to keep and improve the cycle routes and system of underpasses – or would they prefer a four lane junction, with pedestrians and cyclists required to be beside and crossing the motor traffic on the surface?”

Petersfield City Cllr Richard Robertson commented: “The proposal would release areas of land around the existing roundabout for landscaping. However it would also require cutting down the three large trees within the roundabout. These were planted at my instigation around 1990 when I was previously on the City Council. They are now substantial trees rising well above the parapet of the roundabout. Over the years there have been several proposals for making use of the quite pleasant open space within the roundabout for something like an arts centre. Concreting over it all would certainly terminate any such ideas. We need to make sure everybody is aware of this proposal and provide the GCP with their views on the design.”

Public comments on the proposals can be made online or at the consultation event on 7th of March. This GCP consultation runs until midday on Monday 20th March.

• Cambridge Eastern Access – Newmarket Road improvements and Park and Ride relocation
• Document 1 on the GCP website. This is the design for the East Rd roundabout – below is the main detail from that document and above is an aerial view of the present roundabout.

• Additional consultation event at ARU Lord Ashcraft Building, Broad St, Cambridge CB1 1PT 5.30 to 7.30pm Tuesday 7th March

For further information, please contact your local councillors

• Petersfield City councillor Richard Robertson richard.robertson@cambridge.gov.uk 07746 117791
• Petersfield County councillor Richard Howitt richard.howitt@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
• Abbey County councillor Alex Bulat alex.bulat@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 04445 908661