Cycle path idea gets a mixed reception from Chatteris councillors

A proposed cycleway, and a 20mph zone were two of the traffic topics discussed by Chatteris Town Council on Tuesday night.

Cambridgeshire County Council is looking to install a cycleway linking Doddington Road and Bridge Street.

However, the proposal was met with mixed reactions from councillors who were concerned the move would see the narrowing of the road, particularly near Aldi and that could lead to problems for drivers.

Councillors heard the idea is to install a three-metre wide cycleway with solar studs down the middle and that the county’s highways are currently doing a preliminary feasibility study.

Cllr Ian Benney said given the amount of parking along the stretch, the proposed cycle path was to take, it was difficult to see how it would work.

Cllr Pete Murphy agreed and said parking on both sides of the road outside Aldi is going to make it hard, and if they are talking about narrowing the roadway to accommodate it, it will just add to congestion problems.

Cllr Benney quipped: “How many people do you see pedalling through Chatteris anyway?”

The county is also looking at introducing a footpath down Dock Road linking to Nightlayers Drove, members welcomed the idea and hoped any scheme would include street lights as Dock Road residents have been calling for lighting for many years.

Finally, members were told a scheme to introduce a 20mph zone around the Burnsfield Road/Station Street area to make it safer for school children, is progressing and it is expected to be completed later this spring.