Transport Strategy

The development at NIAB provides the opportunity to improve public transport, pedestrian routes and cycle facilities in the local area. The Transport Strategy for the NIAB site has been produced as part of a comprehensive strategy by the Cambridge Northwest Joint Strategic Forum, which also includes the proposed development on University of Cambridge land south of Huntingdon Road.

click here for a larger version of the transport strategy

Measures to provide a choice of travel means Public Transport:

• For journeys towards the City Centre and the Train Station: Huntingdon Road services will in the future be complemented/replaced by a dedicated bus corridor through the proposed University development. The Cambridge Guided Bus will provide improved services on Histon Road towards the City Centre and the train station, and potentially on towards Addenbrokes Hospital and Trumpington.
• For journeys to other key destinations: In addition the Huntingdon Road bus services will provide frequent direct links to Girton, Histon and Impington and northwest towards Huntingdon from Huntingdon Road. The Cambridge Guided Bus on Histon Road will provide frequent links to the Science Park and Chesterton, and towards St. Ives and Huntingdon.
• In the future there is potential for an additional orbital route through the site, from the Madingley Park & Ride and the proposed University development through to the Science Park and Chesterton.

Pedestrian and cycle connectivity:

Extensive pedestrian and cycle connections will be provided for journeys to all destinations. Signposted high quality or low traffic routes will be provided to all key destinations, with improved crossing facilities at any intersections in the immediate vicinity of the site.

Traffic Management:

As highlighted traffic congestion on routes into the City Centre is experienced in particular in the morning peak. Combined with the other travel choices provided it is most likely that the private car is not used for these journeys, and any car trips that are made will be in the opposite direction of the City. There are proposals for a future Park&Ride to help reduce traffic on the Huntingdon Road, and the Cambridge Guided Bus will help reduce congestion on the Histon Road. Car Parking will be provided at appropriate levels so as not to encourage car use, but to provide sufficient spaces so local areas are unaffected by on street parking.

Measures to encourage travel by non-car means:

An innovative package of measures will encourage residents and visitors to the site to use travel means other than the private car. These measures could include:

-Bus Services, within a 5 minute walk (400 metres) of all households for the City Centre and Train Station.
-Cycle facilities, promoting the cycle as a major means of travel by providing safe direct cycle links, secure cycle parking space for all households, and quality cycle parking facilities in the neighbourhood centre.
-A Travel Pack for all households, which will act as a reference booklet providing all travel information in one place.

It will contain:

- Public Transport Routes accessible from the site, including integrated timetables for the peak times providing connecting Bus and Rail service times.
- Walk Maps of the local area showing safe routes to the local facilities, including distances and approximate walk times.
- Cycle Maps of the local area showing safe routes to the local facilities, including distances and approximate cycle times.
- Information on Car Share, with an internet link to the Car Share Site.
- Information on local car hire, including short term hire from a local car hire company.
- Other useful information, including local Taxi numbers, National Rail enquiries, Traveline website address, Dial-a-Ride, and other useful telephone numbers of local leisure, retail and health facilities. Details on purchasing rail season tickets will also be provided.

- A Community Website, which will provide all the information in the Travel Pack but in more detail.
- Fiscal Incentives to use means other than the private car will be provided, including discounted use of the bus services for an initial period.
- Transport Information Posters at key locations on site, such as the Bus Stops in the Community Squares and outside the Supermarket.
- It is proposed to implement a School Travel Plan for the primary school on site, to promote safety and non car travel for the journey to school.

Some of the possible initiatives that could be implemented are:

- A walking bus scheme from local areas to the school.
- Personal Safety Training
- Basic Cycle Training
- Pedestrian Training, potentially run by Local Authority, for under 7s.
- Safe Route Trail marked on footways with special motifs, plus warning signs at any perceived points of danger. The children should input into this.
- Provision of Public Transport Information aimed at parents and older children.
- A Car Share scheme putting residents in touch with neighbours who work in the same location. Appropriate security mechanisms will be built in to the Car Share scheme.
- Short-term Car Hire, providing convenient and affordable access to a car for residents who rely on public transport for day-to-day travel.
- Bicycle hire scheme, providing convenient use of a bike from bike stations on the site to other bike stations planned for Cambridge, for example at the train station. - Promotion of Home delivery, with provision made for safe dry storage of groceries delivered.