Grafham to Brampton Quietway Pilot Project

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).

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.  

October 2024 - two online briefing sessions for local councillors.

November 2024 - two community drop-in events in Brampton and Grafham.

January 2025 – pop-up engagement sessions and a further two online briefing sessions for local councillors.

February and March 2025 – an online workshop with local organisations and other key stakeholders, a further pop-up engagement session at Grafham Water, and two co-design workshops. Additionally, a survey will be advertised and distributed across a wide area, including Huntingdon, aiming to gather additional feedback and comments from the local community with a focus on solutions to issues identified so far.

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 are being developed in close collaboration with local residents and other stakeholders. 

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.

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.