Abbey - Chesterton Bridge Stakeholder Group Meeting 3
Agenda • Introductory words • Introduction to the Project Team • Strategic context for a bridge • Presentation by Project Sponsor • Presentation by Architect • Question cards collected* • Question and Answer session* Or round table sessions depending on numbers
Introductory Words • Ian Manning, County Councillor for East Chesterton • Noel Kavanagh, County Council Cycling Champion (and Councillor for Coleridge ward)
Introducing the Project Team Cambridgeshire County Council • Mike Davies - Project Sponsor • Paul Rawlinson - Project Manager • Liz Waring - Project Officer Skanska • James Salmon - Bridge Engineer Knight Architects • Martin Knight - Architect
Strategic context Jeremy Smith Transport and Infrastructure Strategy Manager Cambridgeshire County Council
Benefits, project update and Issues Mike Davies Team Leader – Cycling Projects Cambridgeshire County Council
What benefits will it bring? • Supports growth of the city • Links residential and employment areas • Key access link to new station • Northern section of The Chisholm Trail • Green Dragon will not cope with additional trips • Makes sustainable transport more attractive & convenient, thus reduces congestion & improves air quality. • More direct route for those on foot or cycle, reducing journey times • Health benefits • Improved travel choices - walk, cycle, drive, public transport • Greater independence
Route
Chisholm Trail - Vision and objectives - SAFE: traffic free, avoids junctions, segregation, no personal security issues - DIRECT: follows desire lines to key destinations - CONNECTED: multitude of tangential local links -Facilitates MULTIMODALITY: cycle/walk to stations, to/from Park & Rides - ATTRACTIVE - a ‘place’ as well as for movement, linear park - INDEPENDANCE and INCLUSION – short trips for young, old and less able -SUPERHIGHWAY - Cross city in 15 minutes, Huntingdon to Royston -STEP CHANGE – all of the above encouraging people away from private car in accordance with transport strategy & in support of growth agenda.
Update Where are we now? • Architect appointed • Land negotiations ongoing • Full funding secured • Chisholm Trail approved for inclusion in City Deal
Consultation 883 responses Organisations consulted (Include Natural England) Good level of support Helpful in flagging up issues & concerns
Addressing concerns Issues & concerns logged from: • Pre consultation event • Public consultation • Stakeholder events • Friends of Ditton Meadows meeting • Fen Ditton Parish Council Working Group • Correspondence and discussions Let’s not forget that there is a lot of support for a bridge
Width and Location Location? 4 to 5 metres wide? Why not on the west side?
Design • Connecting Routes • Existing boardwalk • Capacity • Pinch points
Impacts • Ramps – open v solid • Commuter parking • Construction - Setting up and making good
Environment Location/setting – the River Cam, important open spaces/landscapes Lighting – impact Wildlife / Ecology
Why not a tunnel? • Costs will likely be more than a bridge option, as will the construction risks. • Engineering difficulties associated with working below the river and water table, including managing flooding risk to the tunnel/adjacent properties and expensive dewatering. • Difficulties in finding enough land on the north side for the tunnel to exit, as approaches will be longer than for a bridge option. This will be further complicated by the logistics - working around utilities, existing houses and railway. • Personal security concerns • Future operating costs for CCTV, pumping, lighting, and any ventilation or fire detection/suppression measures required. • Potential for long term effects on groundwater flow. • A tunnel would require significantly more soil removal than a bridge, resulting in more trips by barge on the River Cam or by tipping lorries across the meadows. • People would be able to enjoy the views of the meadows and the river much more by using a bridge than a tunnel.
Meet the Architect
Questions & Answers
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