Grafham to Brampton Quietway Pilot Project

The news that Network Rail would need to close Brampton Road for 6 weeks to carry out bridge repairs felt, at the time, like an opportunity to carry out a temporary trial to understand the impact of keeping the closure in place. Once works had been completed, the idea was to potentially look to continue the closure to vehicles but making it open to pedestrians and cyclists for a limited period of time.

This was an initial idea, brought about by the circumstances around Network Rail's need to carry out the repairs. However, based on the strength of local feeling, it was decided not pursue that option and the road has reopened.

Sustrans is the ‘custodian’ of the National Cycle Network and experienced in delivery (engagement, transport planning and engineering) of changes to streets and spaces.

Sustrans has been funded by the Department of Transport (via Active Travel England) to work in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council to carry out engagement and to look at how rural roads could be improved to make them safer for walking, cycling, wheeling (wheelchair etc) and horse riding.

The funding allocated to this project is to develop new or innovative ways to improve conditions on rural roads for walking, cycling, and wheeling – which also benefits other pastimes such as horse riding. Three local authorities in England (Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk have been selected).

Given it’s the beginning of the engagement process, the trial(s) involved in this project are unknown, but they may draw from examples elsewhere in the world or be a new approach specific to this location. As this is only a trial, it allows experimentation with non-permanent changes, therefore it can be amended, changed or entirely removed. 

The relatively low numbers of people walking and cycling on Brampton Road. The fact local residents are limited to primarily relying on private motor vehicles (as opposed, where appropriate, to using a cycle).

Vehicle speeds of in excess of 35mph can be entirely inappropriate for the conditions on the road and are detrimental to encouraging wider participation, particularly from more vulnerable groups.

Sustrans are committed improving the National Cycle Network, which ranks Brampton Road as currently ‘poor’ for cycling.  

Community engagement was always going to be a fundamental part of this project from the outset, as highlighted in the original letter that went out to local councillors. Unfortunately, this part of the letter was not shared on social media at the time:

‘A key component of the pilot project is community and stakeholder engagement, and Sustrans will be in contact with you in the near future to present a plan for local engagement, including surveys, letter drops, public meetings and attendance at parish council meetings, in order to engage with as many local stakeholders as possible.’

The timeframes for this project were not fixed. With the timings of the National Rail bridge engineering works, it was initially thought the project could be tied to those timeframes – but in response to community feedback it was decided that wouldn’t be an appropriate approach.

This allowed the programme to be amended, adjusting timeframes to avoid the half term school break, but ensured the engagement process could start prior to Christmas. Once changes were confirmed, and new timeframes established, these were shared with local councillors for dissemination. The wider communications to residents then followed.

In October 2024, two online briefing sessions for local parish and county councillors took place. In November 2024, two community drop-in events in Brampton and Grafham were held.

During phase one, various other community engagement activities will take place in key locations, including Grafham Water and local schools.

In the new year, design workshops with residents will be held. Once we have an agreed approach, the proposed trial will go through any necessary governance processes, and hopefully be implemented in spring 2025. The length of the trial will depend on what is being tested, but is likely to last between 6 and 12 months.

The trial isn’t permanent and can be amended or removed as necessary. The trial will be monitored closely. 

Any changes to the highway will need to go through the appropriate Cambridgeshire County Council governance processes, and approved by elected members if necessary.

A meaningful opportunity to test proposed changes to the highway that provide an opportunity for wider participation in walking, cycling, wheeling, and other non-motorised activities such as horse riding.

Any proposed changes will be developed in close collaboration with local residents and other stakeholders. 

Residents of much of Brampton, Grafham, Perry, Buckden, and Ellington will have received an update letter w/c 18 November 2024. This was supported by communications that went out to councillors w/c 11 November 2024. 

Communication with local councillors, who will share information accordingly, will continue and posters will be placed in key local locations advertising specific design workshops in the new year as well as online promotion on this webpage and local media.

If you do not have access to the internet or have other accessibility concerns, please contact Sustrans on 0207-017-2350 and speak to Adrian Hooper or Ben Addy.