Submitted by Jessica Haskell on Tue, 2020-10-27 09:33
There are a whole host of travel and transport projects going on an across the University and the wider area. It can be hard to keep track of everything so read on for a summary of some of the key updates, including details of local consultations and workshops.
Annual staff and student travel surveys
The annual staff and student travel surveys are now open until 1 November. It might seem strange to be collecting travel data at a time when many of us aren’t travelling very far, but the data we collect this year will provide us with an important link between our 2019 pre-COVID survey and our 2021 survey where a more stable travel pattern will have emerged. Additionally the results of the survey will be used to help decided where interventions are required to help facilitate staff and student travel as more in-person events, teaching and workplace-based work start to happen. Filling in the staff and student surveys really does help us make better plans for how to improve the estate, plus you could win £100 if you take part!
Bus service improvements
The University will be increasing funding for the Universal Bus service over the next four months which, combined with funding from the Government COVID-19 Bus Service Support Grant (CBSSG) Restart package, will enable the route to run every 12mins throughout the morning and evening peak periods. It will also allow us to maintain the weekend services to CBC that we began running during the national lockdown in March. The additional funding will allow the level of service provided by the Universal to be maintained as the roads get busier again and the number of passengers carried on each service is reduced due to social distancing requirements on board. This change to the timetable will be in force from Monday 19 October. The new timetable can be found on the Whippet website.
From 1 November Stagecoach will be operating an enhanced service on the Busway and the Haverhill corridor as well as on a number of connecting services. On the Busway, routes A and B will each operate with a 20-min frequency giving a combined 10-min frequency throughout the day. A new route C (St Ives to Cambridge City Centre or Railway Station) will operate at a 10-min frequency, increasing the frequency to every 5mins between St Ives Park and Ride and Cambridge (Monday to Friday only). Haverhill Services (Routes 13/13A/13B/X13) will increase in frequency during the AM and PM peaks. Details can be found on the Stagecoach website.
Universal Bus upgrades
Whippet will be rolling out Pathogen Eliminating Particulate Air Filters for their on-board heating and ventilation systems in the next few weeks. This additional filter is 99.99% effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The filters follow a two-stage approach firstly capturing the carrier e.g. water, dust, aerosol, of the coronavirus and then killing the virus using a silver impregnation which is cured into the filter.
Free bike maintenance
University staff can access free Dr Bike sessions for basic bike checks. Spaces must be booked online in advance via https://www.bikeworks.org.uk/university-of-cambridge:
- 23 October – West Cambridge
- 3 November – Cambridge Biomedical Campus
- 5 November – West Cambridge
More dates to be announced soon, including at New Museums Site. Check https://www.bikeworks.org.uk/university-of-cambridge or email travel@admin.cam.ac.uk for more info.
Online cycle maintenance workshops
University staff can attend free 1-hr online workshops over lunchtime (12.30pm-1.30pm). The workshops cover how to safety check your bike and perform a puncture repair, there will also be a chance to ask the instructor questions.Spaces must be booked online in advance:
- 12 November https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-cycle-maintenance-workshop-tickets-122229741447
- 9 December https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-cycle-maintenance-workshop-tickets-122229765519
Downing cycle parking improvement scheme
The consultation for this project has begun with a presentation of the plans to the Downing Site Committee. A site user consultation will begin next week where more information will be given about plans and comments on these will be considered. To take part please sign up to the Transport Consultation mailing list.
Ditton Lane cycling improvements
It’s the final piece of the puzzle for this section of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s £8m Cross City Cycling network, which has seen thousands of people benefit from better journeys on foot and bicycle. The project has encouraged active travel, improved air quality and helped reduce congestion on the roads. Find out more here.
City access projects
The GCP in partnership with the City and County Council continue to develop and implement a number of schemes to support the Greater Cambridge green recovery. A number of Emergency Transport Regulation Orders have been implemented to limit vehicle movements in order to make more space for socially-distanced walking and cycling. Work also continues to advance the final proposals for schemes on Grange Road, Victoria Avenue and the historic core as well as many other more challenging areas. A full update, including timescales, is available here.
Autonomous vehicle trials
Smart Cambridge, a workstream within the Greater Cambridge Partnership, is working with RDM Group, on a project funded by InnovateUK to trial the use of autonomous vehicles and examine the feasibility of the technology being used as part of a public transport offering. The University of Cambridge has agreed that the West Cambridge Site can be used as the location for the trials. Towards the end of this month, the project team will be arriving on site to begin manually driving the vehicle around the route to map it for use by the autonomous systems later in the trial. You’ll be able to find out more information, including how to get involved, next month as the project is officially launched. In the meantime, you can visit the Smart Cambridge website here to read about this and other exciting projects that the team are working on.
Voi e-scooter trial
The Combined Authority have partnered with Voi to launch a shared e-scooter trial in Cambridge. The scheme launched on 15 October and is available to members of the general public who can hire e-scooters to travel around the City. To try them out download the Voi app, details via the Voi website.
Enterprise Car Club offer for staff
Enterprise Car Club have approached us with an offer for University staff who wish to join this year. Enterprise currently hold the Cambridge City Council contract to provide on-street car club vehicles throughout the city. Zipcar also operate some vehicles within Cambridge and E-car operate the Eddington car club which is available to students and residents with the development. If you are thinking of joining a car club it could be worth checking the vehicle locations of all three.
Joining a car club means you pay to use a car when you need one, not all the time. The cars are likely to be more efficient and better maintained than your personal car so they’re a good solution for replacing second cars within a household and/or for people who tend not to drive very often.
Membership to Enterprise Car Club gives you 24/7 access, 365 days a year to over 1,400+ fuel-efficient, hybrid and electric vehicles across the UK - over 30 of which are located in Cambridge. Join and you can access vehicles across the UK, picking it up from a convenient street, train station, car park or Enterprise Rent-A-Car Branch. Membership includes fuel, servicing, MOTs, breakdown cover, insurance and cleaning, meaning you only pay for a vehicle when you need it, not when you don’t.
Cambridge University staff can sign-up for £60 £20 first year’s membership & get £20 FREE driving* credit when using promo code CAMB20 on the application form. Join Today!
*T’s & C’s: First year’s membership included for £20 (usually £60)> £20 driving credit, valid for 90 days, applied once application is approved. Offer valid for Cambridge residents & University staff applying to standard annual plan only until 31/12/2020/. See www.EnterpriseCarClub.co.uk/tc1 for full terms & conditions.
Consultations and engagement opportunities
The following lists all key transport project consultation and engagement activities that are happening over the next couple of months.
19 October – 18 December Cambridge South East Transport scheme, GCP details can be found here.
19 October – 28 November - Cambridge South Station, Network Rail more details available here.
19 October – 18 December - Waterbeach to Cambridge, GCP.
October – December - Cambridge Eastern Access, GCP.