Story Highlight
– Cambridgeshire busway section closed for safety improvements.
– Closure from October 13 to November 7, weekdays only.
– Fencing installations following safety issues and fatalities.
– Speed limit reduced temporarily until barriers are installed.
– Buses diverted; public meetings to discuss crossing points.
Full Story
A significant portion of the guided busway in Cambridgeshire is set to undergo scheduled closures during weekdays for a period lasting nearly a month as the county council initiates vital safety enhancements. The closure will commence on October 13 and will run through November 7, affecting the northern segment of the busway and the associated maintenance path from Gatehouse Road to Station Road in Histon. The operational hours for the closure will be from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM on Monday through Friday.
The decision for these restrictions has been made to facilitate the installation of fencing, a crucial aspect of overarching safety improvements that are being implemented across the busway network. These enhancements are aimed at bolstering safety standards, which have attracted scrutiny in light of past incidents. Notably, the council was penalised with a hefty £6 million fine earlier this year, as a court determined that there had been a “rigid and blinkered approach to safety issues” in managing the busway since its inception in 2011.
Over the years, there have been several tragic incidents on the busway, resulting in the fatalities of pedestrians Jennifer Taylor, aged 81, and Kathleen Pitts, 52, as well as cyclist Steven Moir, 50. Each of these fatalities occurred in separate incidents, highlighting a troubling history of health and safety breaches associated with the busway’s operation. In light of these events, the council has recognised historical failings and indicated it has learned valuable lessons, altering its safety protocols and vowing to implement additional improvements.
The guided busway itself is a specially designed route, spanning 16 miles and repurposing old railway lines to interconnect the cities of Cambridge, Huntingdon, and St Ives. When it first commenced operations, buses could travel at speeds up to 56 mph along guided sections where the buses are restricted to a designated pathway without the ability to steer.
Meanwhile, in conjunction with the northern section’s upgrades, work will also be initiated on the southern stretch of the busway. Beginning October 12, installation of approximately three kilometres of fencing will take place between Trumpington and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, starting at Long Road Bridge. This work will be executed in phases to minimise disruptions, aiming to keep the busway and maintenance track operational wherever feasible. During the construction at Long Road Bridge, one lane of the busway will temporarily close, as will the adjacent path used by pedestrians and cyclists.
Transport services will continue as usual southbound from Cambridge station towards the Biomedical Campus, but there will be diversions for buses heading northbound, which will be redirected onto adjacent roads. To further enhance safety during this period, a temporary speed limit has also been enforced across the entire guided busway as of October 6, a measure that will remain until the final installation of fencing and safety barriers is fully realised, with an anticipated completion date set for the end of 2026.
In a statement regarding these essential works, Cambridgeshire County Council emphasised its dedication to safety, asserting: “In August, we announced the lower speed limit on the Guided Busway at Histon. As part of this initiative, we recognised that reducing the speed limit would help mitigate potential risks associated with pedestrian crossings.” The council has also stated its intention to close off several undesignated crossing points currently in use, a decision discussed with residents at a recent public meeting.
Officials acknowledge the community’s concerns and frustrations regarding the installation of fencing but stress the importance of using designated crossing points for safety. They have committed to maintaining dialogue with local residents to ensure that discussions about future safe crossing points continue through public meetings.
While upgrades are ongoing, the council reminds individuals to avoid trespassing on the busway, encouraging them to utilize either the maintenance track or official crossing points for their safety. This proactive measure reflects the council’s commitment to improving safety standards while minimising disruption to transport services during this necessary work.
During the closure, buses travelling towards Cambridge will be diverted off the busway at Gatehouse Road and will rejoin the route at the Station Road/Cambridge Road junction. For northbound services, a temporary bus stop will be established near the café on Station Road, while the original bus stop near Histon will remain in effect for southbound services.
Closing the busway for safety upgrades is the right move. Installing fencing and more robust barriers, along with clear designated crossing points, should reduce the risk of further tragedies. Temporary diversions and lower speed limits are reasonable short term measures if they keep people safe. It will be important for the council to engage openly at the public meetings, explain how designs were chosen, and set a clear timetable for completing works so residents and users can plan around the disruption.