4.3.7 Vehicular access, routes and hierarchy
Object
Mill Road Depot Draft Planning and Development Brief SPD
Representation ID: 31080
Received: 21/07/2016
Respondent: Mrs Charlotte de Blois
Mill Road should not be used as a rat run by non-local traffic, as it is a residential road, a residential road which is becoming more densely populated as our city houses an increased population whilst avoiding further destruction of its green-belt. It would be advantageous to include within the Depot brief the facility for traffic to turn.
The Mill Road Depot Draft Planning and Development Brief highlights at least 2 problems related to traffic on Mill Road which could inhibit the success of housing on the site. Problem 1 is the lack of visibility from the exit and entrance of the site. Problem 2 is an imbalance between motor traffic and the pedestrian environment on the stretch of Mill Road leading into town. The consultation process fortuitously coincides with consultation on the document 'Tackling Peak time congestion in Cambridge' which contains the proposal that Mill Road Bridge should be closed to private traffic during rush hours with the objective of reducing congestion and through-traffic flows. Residents of Mill Road itself are painfully aware that congestion is a problem but that speeding cars, cars mounting the pavements and high levels of through-traffic are greater problems. This is a good opportunity to demonstrate that the Mill Road environment will be improved by making these restrictions on private motorized traffic crossing the bridge more extensive. Mill Road should not be used as a rat run by non-local traffic, as it is a residential road, a residential road which is becoming more densely populated as our city houses an increased population whilst avoiding further destruction of its green-belt. It would be advantageous to include within the Depot brief the facility for traffic to turn.
Object
Mill Road Depot Draft Planning and Development Brief SPD
Representation ID: 31195
Received: 22/07/2016
Respondent: Cambridge GRT Solidarity Network
What has also not been considered at all is the increased strain on the already overworked and frequently dangerous road conditions that exist on Mill Road.
The draft SPD and Policy 23 of the draft Local Plan both seek to achieve public realm improvements on Mill Road. However this depends on resolving the issues relating to the access and Mill Road without harming the character of the area.
Mill Road is known to the police and planning inspectors in appeals decisions, as well as to local users, as a road of very busy traffic with limited crossings.
There is nothing in the draft SPD to suggest how these public realm improvements can be achieved. Instead, there is an assumption it is possible to inject more movements of people by car, bike and walking onto Mill Road with no consequent adverse affects.
These issues have to be resolved now, before the SPD is approved, because the nature of any redevelopment of the Depot site is totally dependent on the capacity of the site access.
See attachment