Background
Reducing traffic congestion and improving bus services is a key goal of Cambridgeshire County Council to minimise pollution and help preserve the unique character of our historic city centre. It is equally important to make sure that people who work and shop in the centre can access it easily. These pages outline a wide range of proposals designed to improve bus services, reduce congestion and improve safety and the environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

These proposals are the 4th stage of a city centre wide traffic management scheme called the Cambridge Core Traffic Scheme, which covers the area within the inner ring road.

Core Area Map (PDF 75KB) 

The key objectives of the scheme are to:

• Remove through traffic
• Improve conditions for public transport
• Provide safer / convenient routes for cyclists
• Create better / safer environment for pedestrians
• Achieve an overall improvement in air quality
• Provide opportunities for streetscape improvements
• Maintain essential vehicle access
• Achieve an OVERALL benefit

What is the problem?
In 1999, to reduce congestion, the County Council set a target of a 70% increase in the number of people using buses in the city centre by 2011. In order to achieve this we expect 40% more buses to be using the city centre by 2011.

This will mean conditions for buses have to be improved. Currently the busiest bus stops (Drummer Street - Emmanuel Street - St. Andrew's Street) are located in an area frequently affected by traffic congestion, causing significant problems with the punctuality of bus services. Everyone, particularly pedestrians, whether they are waiting for buses or using the area, experiences a poor environment.

Buses also experience delays when leaving the city centre via Regent Street, which adds further to the disruption of bus timetables.

The Grand Arcade and Bradwell's Court shopping developments, which are expected to be completed by 2008, will increase demand for access.

There are concerns that Government air quality targets will not be met in the City Centre because of traffic pollution.

In addition many people choose to access the Core area by cycle. Improving the safety and ease of access for cyclists is necessary to encourage more people to cycle.

What's being proposed
The first 3 stages of the Core scheme saw closures to through traffic in Bridge Street, Emmanuel Road and Silver Street, using rising bollards to control access.  Proposals for the 4th stage centre around the Drummer Street - Emmanuel Street - St. Andrew's Street - Regent Street - Downing Street - Tennis Court Road area.
The proposals include measures to:

• improve access for public transport, cyclists and pedestrians
• Manage bus operations more effectively
• enhance the appearance of the area
• improve air quality

Better management of bus operations in the city centre forms a key part of the proposals. We are working closely with bus operators to develop a quality bus partnership (QBP), which all operators using bus stops in the core area would be required to sign up to. The QBP would be based upon a code of conduct drafted and agreed by the County Council and bus operators to improve the quality of service for bus passengers.

It is proposed to introduce a 20mph speed limit zone to improve safety, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.

To reduce pollution and in line with Government air quality targets, we are recommending the Core area becomes a Low Emission Zone (LEZ). Bus exhaust emissions would be controlled and restrictions on other vehicles would also be implemented over time to meet Government air quality targets.

A table showing the predicted changes in traffic flows, if these measures were to be implemented, can be seen here.

Changes to traffic flow (PDF 52KB)