Proposed Pilot of a Quiet Way between Grafham and Brampton

Dear Councillor,

In the last couple of weeks, you will have almost certainly heard about the proposed pilot Grafham to Brampton Quiet Way, either through the formal introductory letter from Cambridgeshire County Council, or via social media.

It is due to the social media activity that I wanted to reach out to you to explain in more detail our intentions, and importantly, to ensure you have accurate information.

By way of the background, Sustrans have been delivering our Paths for Everyone programme for several years, with funding directly from the Department for Transport / Active Travel England.

This programme aims to improve the National Cycle Network - we want to create a Network where families can enjoy bike rides away from motor traffic. Where those who are less mobile can go at their own pace. And where walkers and horse riders can fill their lungs with fresh air. Where we are unable to take the Network completely off-road, we need to ensure the sections on-road are lightly trafficked - the traffic speed and flows should be sufficiently low.

With regards to Grafham to Brampton, which is part of the National Cycle Network – we have secured funding from Active Travel England to pilot three high-quality Quiet Ways, one in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk.

Following detailed analysis of the NCN across Cambridgeshire, along with correspondence with County Council and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority colleagues, the route between Grafham and Brampton was prioritised.

The funding we've received has certain requirements, particularly around ensuring motor vehicle speeds and volumes are suitable to ensure everyone can safely use the NCN – sadly, we know that due to road conditions many people do not feel able to walk, wheel, or cycle to their local shops, school, or place of work. From our pre-monitoring (taken during the schools' summer holidays) of Brampton Road, we know that currently only 1% of people walking and cycling are children (under 18), only 2% are over 65, and only 14% are women – we want to support these users to be comfortable using the NCN. We also know that top speeds were recorded in excess of 44mph, which on this type of road fails our quality standard for it to be part of the National Cycle Network.

Therefore, we are particularly interested in testing solutions, which will make Brampton Road more attractive to those who do not use it for walking, wheeling, horse riding or cycling.

So, whilst a physical closure is a possible option (as outlined in the letter you received in August), there are others, which we will be considering, and we will be listening to all residents. Indeed, we will be conducting comprehensive 'co-design' sessions with yourselves, and the community, so there will be opportunities for those in Grafham, Brampton, Buckden, Huntingdon etc., to shape the process and help to decide any final interventions. These sessions will be taking place between late September and mid-November. We will then take some time to assess responses, before putting forward any recommended interventions to trial – this will not happen until the New Year.

We really want this to be seen as an opportunity to try something new, low cost, but impactful, and to learn from it (we will be here to support throughout the trial, and to decide if anything happens afterwards).

This project aligns with strategy and policy at a national, regional (Local Transport and Connectivity Plan), County, District, and Parish level (Buckden's LCWIP). We hope that with this new information it will help assure your residents that they will be listened to, and they will be part of the process – nothing has been decided yet.

We are currently finalising our engagement plans, but as soon as they are confirmed, we will ensure you have all information to share fully with your residents and key stakeholders.

In the meantime, if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch, either with myself, or through eastofengland@sustrans.org.uk.

Regards,

Matt

Matthew Barber

Head of Partnerships, Midlands and East

The Keebles Chambers, Cowgate, Peterborough, PE1 1NA

07775 542 397

01733 319 981

Sustrans is the charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle. We connect people and places, create liveable neighbourhoods, transform the school run and deliver a happier, healthier commute. Join us on our journey. http://www.sustrans.org.uk/

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