Silver Street Development/Roundabout Proposals – 18th December Update

BPC met with Highways England (HE) yesterday. HE are responsible for the A1 and Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) are responsible for local roads including the High Street and Perry Road.

It became clear that whilst HE have not lifted their hold on the development, they believe that the proposals presented by Pell Frischmann on behalf of the Church Commissioners, for the roundabout, can work. They are of the opinion that traffic lights will resolve the ‘capacity issues’ i.e. the additional volume of traffic generated by the development. They have changed their view about safety and now believe the proposals will not make the safety situation any worse! We are unconvinced by this as our analysis and local experience suggests:

  • a high risk of back end collision. (See diagram).
  • The prospect of vehicles moving faster through the roundabout as a result of the change in shape of the roundabout.

CCC are still reviewing the impact of the proposals on local roads.

BPC also met with HDC today. We have shared our concerns about the proposals for the roundabout and have requested an extension to the deadline of 21/12 to enable us to:

  • Analyse the proposed development against the policies in our recently approved Neighbourhood Plan. (The plan was approved by HDC on 10/12). Amongst other items it requires the developer to analyse the impact of increased traffic on specific junctions in the village;
    • The junction between the High Street and the Buckden Roundabout:
    • The junction between the High Street and the A1;
    • The junction between the Stirtloe Lane and the A1;
    • The Offords’ Railway Crossing and Mill Road;
    • The junction at Church Road and the High Street;
    • The junction at Mayfield and the High Street;
    • The junction at Silver Street and Church Road/Mill Road;
    • The junction of A1 and Silver Street;
    • The junction of Perry Road and the A1;
    • The Offords’ Railway Crossing and associated narrow bridges.
    • The junction of Leadens Lane and Mill Road

 

  • Undertake an independent safety audit of the roundabout proposal.

We will let you know of further developments.