An update on the safety improvements to the Guided Busway will be discussed by the Highways and Transport Committee meeting on Tuesday, 2 December.
In June, committee agreed to further safety measures which included installing a fence or barriers along the whole busway, and options to help with the flooding on sections of the path which run alongside the busway.
Now, councillors will receive a progress update covering the fencing programme, the flooded sections, and the crossing points. These additional measures build on the county council’s commitment to health and safety on the busway.
The work to install new fencing along the Guided Busway is progressing and the next phases have recently been announced. There are two types of fencing being installed, one is separating the busway and the maintenance track (the path which runs alongside the busway), the other, is perimeter fencing to block off informal crossing points which are being used. There are 23 locations where informal crossing points are being used along the busway.
The council is committed to reviewing safe crossing points with communities and local councillors. The committee will also discuss proposals for four areas to either introduce new crossing points or install other measures to help people cross the busway safely. The locations being considered are Manor Park, Histon; Rampton crossing; Over; and Oxholme bridleway crossing. In addition, new crossing points are being looked at south of Histon and Impington and at other locations where there is local support.
Councillors will also hear about the measures already in place such as the temporary reduced speed limit along the whole busway, a motorcyclist ban on the path and a 15mph speed limit on the maintenance track. There has been extra warning and guidance signs added, yellow lines at bus stop platforms and solar powered lighting at the busway crossing points.
A section of the maintenance track between St Ives Park and Ride and Holywell regularly floods during the winter months. At these times, the path gates are shut with signs in place to advise that the path is closed. There is feasibility work underway to look at addressing the flooding, including a pontooned walkway, however, further design work is needed. Councillors will be updated on the three locations that regularly flood and the work to address the flooding is likely to take place in 2026.
Cllr Alex Beckett, chair of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “The council is responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of the Guided Busway. These measures build on the county council’s commitment to health and safety on the busway.
“This report includes important proposals for additional crossing points and improving access to the busway, which I’m pleased we will discuss as they have come about following feedback from our communities. As a committee, we need to hear about these crossing points and weigh up the local support, the health and safety considerations, how much they’ll be used and the cost. I look forward to the debate.”
Throughout the introduction of these further safety measures, the council has been engaging with the bus operators, and we appreciate there will be hold-ups in terms of traffic. People can access real time information on the bus companies’ app and updated information on diversions is available on our website.
Whilst work is taking place, we’d like to remind people they must not trespass on the busway, and they must keep to the maintenance track or formal crossing points for their own safety.
The committee papers can be found on our website and the meeting will be live streamed on the council’s YouTube channel.
