New date confirmed for temporary closure of stretch of Cambridge guided busway in one direction
The temporary closure of the guided busway in one direction from Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Cambridge Railway Station will now begin on February 5, with a full closure along a stretch in both directions for five days beforehand.
The closure, which comes amid safety investigations into the deaths of a pedestrian and a cyclist on the southern stretch of the busway, was originally due to come into force on January 17, but was delayed without explanation.
Now the county council has confirmed that the inbound-only track, closest to the maintenance track, will be closed from February 5.
Buses will use the busway in the direction from the railway station to Addenbrooke’s, but will use Hills Road on the return journey.
A temporary barrier will be installed from the entrance of the busway at Hills Road bridge to Addenbrooke’s spur junction. This will require both the maintenance track and the busway to close in both directions for five days from Monday, January 31.
The council said the barrier is being installed to stop people from walking and cycling on the busway track that is not being used.
It warned that work will also take place overnight to repair some parts of the maintenance track damaged by tree roots from neighbouring properties.
The council said the stretch will be closed in full for five days as contractors will need the space on both the busway and the maintenance track to install the temporary barrier safely.
During the five-day spell, those who use the maintenance track for cycling or walking will need to use alternative routes.
The council said: “We’d like to remind people they must not trespass on the busway for safety reasons.”
It stressed that the partial closure coming into force next month is a temporary measure pending the outcome of an independent safety review into the track.
In addition to the review conducted on behalf of the council, the Health and Safety Executive is also investigating the death of Kathleen Pitts, 52, of Ravensworth Gardens, Cambridge, who died after being struck by a bus near Sedley Taylor Road on October 26.
The HSE has also yet to conclude its probe into the 2018 death of cyclist Steve Moir, 50, from Sawston, who died in a similar area of the busway, between Long Road and Cambridge railway station.
Cambridge’s Labour MP Daniel Zeichner has previously criticised the length of time taken for the HSE to report its findings and said: “This is an important transport link for Cambridge, but it needs to be safe - and many will continue to wonder why proper segregation wasn’t achieved at the outset.”
Speeds between Long Road bridge and the railway station in both directions were reduced to 15mph in November.
Among those who have been calling for a physical barrier to protect those using the maintenance track is cyclist Brian Robertson, from Shepreth, who has suggested a low hedge may be the best option.
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