New Cambs cycleway opens as residents complain 'roads are a disgrace'

The sustainable travel scheme has been designed to make it easier for people to walk and cycle in Thorpe Wood.

A2m sustainable travel project has been officially unveiled new cycle and walking routes in Thorpe Wood.

The scheme, completed last month, includes widened footpaths, a two-way cycleway, two crossings, and a new bus shelter. The improvements aim to boost safety for pedestrians and cyclists while making it easier to travel sustainably across Peterborough.

Cllr Angus Ellis, cabinet member for the environment and transport at Peterborough City Council, said he was “delighted” to see the project finished and thanked residents for their patience during the works.

Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, added: “Projects like this make walking and cycling safer and easier, while keeping our city moving. Thorpe Wood is an important link, and this investment will benefit both residents and businesses for years to come.”

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority granted £2m to the project via Active Travel England’s Active Travel Funds, with works delivered by the M Group.

Commenter Rob Palmer complains: “They call it sustainable travel, but they are ploughing through the countryside and taking out a medieval orchard at Coton?”

Rachel Burry says: “It's all well and good, but have they even canvassed businesses in Thorpe Wood to see how many staff travel via bike or walk to Thorpe Wood? Personally I think the majority will drive, or get the bus hence a new cycle path is a waste of money. Also to make cyclists / pedestrians feel safe they need to invest in CCTV cameras (for example in underpasses) and better lighting + ironically more visible policing (bearing in mind the police station is in Thorpe Wood).”

Angie Ofthefamily Wilson asks: “I wonder how much all this has cost as it seems to have been rolled out in many Cambridgeshire towns? Shame they didn’t pay the same attention to the roads as they are a disgrace, and yet they don’t have the funds or will to fix them - yet they have the money for cycle paths?”

John Lowe grumbles: “We live in Hinxton and because the footpath on the Hight Street is totally unmaintained ( uneven, sloping and broken ) my wife is even unable to get to the village hall in her wheelchair! When will they stop spending “scarce resources” on “ new” pet projects and start maintaining the essential pavements they already have?”