A new transport consultation launched this week, yes, another one, could see many city centre streets become car free and threaten vital access to businesses at a time of post covid recovery.
The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) project could result in a number of city centre streets being even more restricted to vehicles than they currently are. Vehicles could be all but banned from Hobson Street, King Street, Green Street, Trinity Street, Park Terrace, Emmanuel Street, Sidney Street, New Square, Market Hill, Corn Exchange Street, Wheeler Street, Benet Street and Trumpington Street out as far as the former Royal Cambridge Hotel.
If vehicles are not banned, they are likely to be severely restricted since proposals delayed during Covid suggested restrictions between 10am and 6pm in this area. Many businesses especially smaller independent ones do not open until 10am or later and with the current staff shortages in the city then many close before 6. This could mean no vehicle access at all whilst these shops are open.
The proposals suggest city centre deliveries will need to be consolidated, buses rerouted, and more electric bikes used. Cambridge BID has lobbied all the local authorities for many years about bringing forward a last mile delivery solution but little or no action has thus far been taken on this. If this was to be an option them it would need to be available well before changes to access were implemented and be free to businesses who will be paying of the burden of Covid for many years.
Businesses will embrace a city with cleaner air, less traffic and with more walking and cycling, but access needs to be maintained for deliveries and collections for online sales that ensures the vitality of our city retail, bar, restaurant and shopping offer. I was in Norwich recently and they have cobbled, pedestrian priority, streets with delivery vehicle access.
The consultation document ends with links to other non GCP transport schemes. This just shows the piecemeal approach we have here to this vital topic.
I would encourage all to take part in the consultation, but again we need a transport system that works for those who live and do business here.
Click the link here to find out more information on the consultation and fill in the survey to have your say.
