Roundabouts, cycle paths, zebra crossings, better pavements and lots more planned to improve March transport links

March is set to benefit from a series of 'Quick Win' road schemes aimed at improving safety and easing congestion.

The move is part of the March Area Transport Study set up to identify potential transport projects in the town to address traffic issues and to help prepare for future demand.

Wednesday's (9) Fenland District Council cabinet meeting is set to discuss an update on the study's progress.

A report to the meeting explains the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) had given a total of £1.1million for the study, which is formally known as the March Junctions Package.

The money was for a feasibility study to look at the existing transport situation and at future growth and to come up with relevant schemes.

The report explains that up to the end of June only £785,000 of the £1.1million had been spent on the study due to "efficiencies" made by consultants and the project team.

Now the CPCA has agreed the money left over can be used to fund "as many Quick Win schemes as possible" for the town.

A member steering group has helped identify and prioritise these schemes, but the CPCA will have the final say on which are actually delivered.

Target costs for the construction of these schemes is currently being drawn-up and the report says the aim is for the projects to be built during this financial year (2020-21).

It could be good news for campaigners who have been fighting for speed reduction measures along Norwood Road, as the introduction of three sections of traffic calming are included on the Quick Win list for Norwood Road.

Upgrade of the A141/Twenty Foot Road junction was originally the top priority Quick Win scheme but the report explains assessment shows the junction would have to be moved northwards, consequently it has been added to the main projects list.

As a result the top priority Quick Win is a zebra crossing on Station Road. Quick Win number two is to introduce a gateway feature at the edge of town on Upwell Road/Cavalry Drive to introduce a 40mph speed limit buffer and revise deflections on the Cavalry Drive roundabout.

Quick Win number three is to draw up a March-wide walking and cycling facility audit and produce an improvement delivery plan for six key route corridors.

The aim of this would be to encourage people to walk or cycle rather than drive, which would help ease traffic congestion and improve air quality.

Improvements would include replacing uneven paving slabs, improving footpaths, installing cycle parking and improving security at existing cycle parking spots and improve pedestrian crossings.

A zebra crossing on St Peter's Road is also on the list together with improved signage for HGV drivers to help them with their route choices. Better street lighting at two junctions on the A141 - Burrowmoor Road and Knights End Road - is also propososed.

The report said the schemes need further prioritisation and development but adds the CPCA has been approached regarding funding and delivery of the projects.

The major projects in the March Junctions Package include a Northern Industrial Link Road; signals at the A141/Twenty Foot junction, a roundabout at the Hostmoor Avenue junction and improvements to the Peashill roundabout; a large mini-roundabout in Broad Street/Station Road, and the introduction of a high quality public space in Broad Street; a mini-roundabout at the junction of Creek Road/ Station Road and a signals upgrade at the junction of St Peter's Road/High Street.

The pandemic meant public consultation on the March Transport Study could not go ahead as planned and instead there was an online only consultation between May 15 and June 28, which saw over 5,400 visit the virtual consultation room and around 690 visits to the online survey site, resulting in 115 usable completed surveys. The report said face-to-face consultation held for the Wisbech Access Strategy had resulted in 325 completed surveys.

As a result the report said face-to-face consultation ought to be held in March when restrictions are lifted.

The report said 71 per cent of those who filled in the online survey supported the March Northern Industrial Link Road; 64 per cent agreed with signals at the A141/Twenty Foot junction; 76 per cent agreed with a roundabout for A141/Hostmoor Road; 62 per cent were in favour of the upgrade to the Peashill roundabout - the same as the number who agreed with a mini-roundabout for Creek Road/Station Road.

The upgrade to the High Street/St Peter's Road lights was supported by 54 per cent of respondents while 57 per cent agreed with the plans for Broad Street/Station Road.

Just under half of those who completed the survey felt Broad Street was either 'poor or very poor' for pedestrians. However, the majority considered it was 'poor or very poor' for traffic.

The report said the CPCA is "keen to progress"with the March Transport Study and in July its transport and infra-sturcture committee recommended progressing to the Outline Business Case and preliminary design stage and also recommended an additional £1m of funding, which was agreed in August.

Preliminary designs for the major schemes should all be completed by September next year, with some expected to be done by May.

The Cabinet were recommended to note the report.