Comberton Parish Council aims to improve transport for all residents by participating in consultations, engaging with local authorities and applying for funding for local projects.

On this webpage you will find information and updates on transport projects, small and big, affecting Comberton.

The Greenways

The Greenways are a project funded by the Greater Cambridge Partnership that aims to deliver safer streets and roads for walking, wheeling and cycling, better crossings on main roads, side streets and big junctions, and new and improved paths

Due to its location, Comberton will benefit from several Greenways:

  • The Comberton Greenway will connect Comberton to Coton and Hardwick, and to West Cambridge.
  • The Barton Greenway will improve the current cycling route from Barton to Cambridge city centre (via the A603), which many Comberton cyclists currently use, and will deliver a new cycling route connecting Barton and Grantchester.
  • The Haslingfield Greenway includes portions in Grantchester, which may be used by those cycling towards the Biomedical Campus.

To stay up-to-date with works on the Greenways, we highly recommend you sign up for the Greenway newsletter on the Greater Cambridge Partnership website. You can select which projects you wish to receive updates on.

Update as of August 2024: The early works in Comberton along Barton Road and West Street, including junctions, have been completed. The next steps within Comberton propose an off-road cycle path along Long Road and speed-limiting measures on Long Road. According to the latest information received, the off-road path still needs a couple of years before delivery due to land acquisition procedures. However, the speed-limiting measures on Long Road may be deployed earlier.

Speed limits in Comberton

Cambridgeshire County Council funds the implementation of 20 mph zones following applications from Parish Councils. Comberton Parish Council applied in March 2024 for a 20 mph zone to complement the Comberton Greenways and cover the entire current 30 mph area. Outcomes are expected in October 2024.

Local Highway Improvement projects

Cambridgeshire County Council funds several Local Highway Improvement projects each year. The fund covers 90% of the costs of projects up to £25,000. Each Parish Council can make one application per year.

Comberton Parish Council is keen to make an application in winter 2024. We currently have four ideas and would like the opinion of Comberton residents to prioritise our projects and decide which one should be applied for in 2024. Others may follow in subsequent years. The four proposed projects are:

  • The purchase of two Mobile Vehicle Activated Signs (MVAS). MVAS measures and displays a vehicle’s speed, indicating when a vehicle needs to slow down to respect speed limits. MVAS work on batteries and can be moved around the village to target various areas. We would like to obtain two units that would be placed on Barton Road, West Street, South Street, Green End and Long Road. Estimated total cost: £11,500. Estimated cost to the Parish Council if funded: £1,150.
  • The reduction of the speed limit on Royston Lane, from St Mary’s Church to the A603 (towards the Eversdens) from 60 mph to 40 mph. The Parish Council considers that the speed limit on this road is not in keeping with the conditions of the road (narrow road, with multiple bends, a severely damaged surface and a narrow bridge with a blind summit and hump). The cost of the project includes consultation costs and new signage. Estimated cost: £3,000. Estimated cost to the Parish Council if funded: £300.
  • The installation of parking spaces on the eastern side of South Street from the junction with Swaynes Lane to south of the junction with Barton Road. The success of the pub under new management and the opening of a new café are leading to parking at the Swaynes Lane junction and along South Street. Some of this parking is considered unsafe. The Parish Council is considering reducing the size of the hedge and installing off-road parking to increase road safety in this area. Estimated cost: Currently under review with the County Council.
  • The installation of white gateways at the entrances to the village on Barton Road and West Street. Gateways are designed to highlight a Parish, Town or Village entrance. Drivers tend to notice and accept the distinction between the two-speed limits when there is a more obvious presence at the entrance. Estimated cost: £7,000 for two gateways. Estimated cost to the Parish Council if funded: £700.

Our online survey allows residents to indicate their level of support for each project and their priority order for funding. The survey will close on 15th November 2024.

A poster to advertise the survey can be viewed here.

Transport consultations in the area:

Bus franchising consultation

The Combined Authority is asking for views on the future of the region’s buses with a bus franchising consultation open from Wednesday 14 August 2024 until 20 November 2024 for everyone to take part, either online, via a series of face-to-face events, or by post. It will inform a decision by the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough on how to reform buses across the area.

Active Travel Hierarchy consultation

The Cambridgeshire County Council is consulting on its Active Travel Hierarchy, which relates to managing maintenance activities on their active travel routes. The term ‘active travel’ within the Strategy refers to walking and cycling, but also includes other modes of travel and use of mobility aids. The consultation closes on Monday 30th September.