 Cllr Colin Rosenstiel doesn't need to wait long to see the rat-run on Burleigh Street Tim Bick and the City Centre team are pushing to stop vehicles using Adam & Eve Street and Burleigh Street as an illegal shortcut to East Road. All traders in that part of Burleigh Street have been contacted and have now met Cllr Colin Rosenstiel to discuss their businesses’ needs. “They share our view that this rat-running spoils the street for their customers and others who pass through,” says Colin. The Lib Dem team now proposes that Burleigh Place becomes the main access for light delivery vehicles, requiring it to be left unblocked. A lockable bollard would be installed in Adam & Eve Street next to the Red Cross shop, which could be temporarily lowered by key holders of the few businesses with large vehicle deliveries. “We now intend to go into discussions with the County Council,” says Colin. “We hope they will be willing to co-operate on this solution which looks achievable by consent”. |
Call for discreet lighting on Parkers Piece
 Cllr Tim Bick with students on Parker's Piece An experimental scheme to provide lighting around the paths that cross Parkers Piece has passed its first stage, following support from Tim Bick. Tim looked into the matter after students from the city’s two universities approached him following a frightening attack on the Piece last year. The proposals could see lights set into the path. “We must ensure the character of the space is preserved, that energy is not wasted and street furniture doesn’t get in the way of sport and games,” said Tim. “But we can’t ignore that this is a heavily used route. As I have seen when out with the police, people can just disappear into the darkness. I believe all residents and late night commuters will benefit.” |
King Street Bus Diversion – a step closer
 Cllr Tim Bick on King Street Our public meeting at Clowns last December started our latest bid to get buses out of King Street. We wanted to divert them along Manor Street and Jesus Lane, so that they wouldn’t any more travel the full length of King Street. Stagecoach was willing to divert all except its sightseeing bus, but requested the County Council to make it easier and safer for buses turning right onto Jesus Lane by removing some of the parking bays opposite. Annoyingly the County Council bound this simple and straightforward issue into a big bid to the government for funding to make a range of other, unrelated improvements to bus routes into the city. But we heard today that the Liberal Democrats in government have approved their application. This leaves the way clear to make the changes we have all been waiting for over the past few years! We have always believed that King Street was not right to be the major bus channel that it has become. The noise and vibration simply is not acceptable in such a narrow roadway, in close proximity to homes and quite aged buildings. This is the time for talking to stop and action to begin. The County Council can no longer claim it doesn’t have the money to get on with this. County Councillor Sarah Whitebread and City Councillor Tim Bick will be keenly chasing this up. It feels like we are now getting somewhere! |
Police Reassurance on Speed Limits Welcomed
City Centre Team Member, Councillor Tim Bick, has welcomed police reassurance that the city centre’s 20mph speed limits will be enforced.
Cllr Bick, responsible for community safety as Executive Councillor for Community Development, and fellow councillors were given the news at a meeting recently.
Cambridgeshire’s new Chief Constable, Simon Parr, told them he had authorised his commanders to enforce the new speed limits and those throughout the county.
Residents had been worried that the introduction of the new limits was hollow without police enforcement.
“This was a very welcome clarification from the Chief Constable,” said Cllr Bick, who represents Market ward. “Lower speeds greatly reduce the risk of accidents and injury, so the new limits are enormously valued by residents, and other pedestrians and cyclists using the streets concerned.
“Although everyone accepts that the conduct of enforcement needs to be fitted in with other police priorities, it is important that drivers should know that the possibility exists of getting caught. People were worried that without enforcement, the introduction of the 20mph limits was hollow.
“This is one part of the picture, but the other is awareness. Most motorists will observe a limit, so long as their attention is effectively drawn to it. Although the current signage apparently adequately meets legal standards, many people feel it is easily missed and it would be a pity if they received penalties for that reason. So we await the county council’s review of the visibility of its signage and the possibility of other measures to improve awareness.”