Apologies for the slightly odd format I’ve copied and pasted the County Council’s busway newsletter below and the formatting is slightly clunky. If you’d like regular updates please do sign up the newsletter – link below.

A summary of key information is that the section Impington Cambridge Road – Orchard Park, Pagram Way is due to reopen over the weekend but will be followed directly by a closure Orchard Park to Milton Road.

After much chasing I was offered a public meeting date the last week in May but as this was half term I thought it better to ask for an early June date. There is a provisional date and I will share this when confirmed.

Above picture is of the cleaned out toad tunnels, cleaning which was much needed. Hopefully the mammal holes have already been cut in the mesh fencing as I was advised they were due to be, I will endeavour to check this this weekend. I am hearing of very sad reports of mammals which are discovered struggling to cross the busway please do get in touch as it might be possible to get more crossing points although we are of course also pushing for the palisade (spiked fencing) to be replaced with mesh fencing.

Whilst I know this is unbelievably frustrating because we are a really organised community it is because I was able to work directly with a number of amazing residents that we were able to get a petition up and running before any other communities, our local coordinated action has meant that we are at the front of the queue in terms of being listened to and getting action from the council.

Welcome to the tenth edition of our Guided Busway newsletter.

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Phase 7 works start Sunday 19 April

Work starts on phase 7 – the section between Pagram Way, Orchard Park to Cambridge North – from Sunday 19 April. The Busway from the Orchard Park turning to Milton Road will close to buses from Sunday, however, the maintenance track will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists throughout.   The Busway between Orchard Park and the Histon and Impington city-bound stop will reopen to buses following the completion of works in this section this week.  The A route and the Orchard Park East and West bus stops, which were reversed during the works closure between Orchard Park and Histon, will return to normal.   Students for Cambridge Regional College should use Orchard Park East. Temporary stops will be in place on Milton Road for Cambridge Science Park, located outside the car dealership (what3words ///chair.palace.intelligible) and opposite the Golden Hind (what3words (///crisis.chips.outfit). During this closure, B Buses will be diverted via Kings Hedges Road and Milton Road inbound and vice versa outbound and will continue to serve Cambridge North in both directions.   The works compound currently at the corner of Orchard Park, which been used during phase 6, will be relocated south of the Busway junction during the works between Cambridge Regional College to Milton Road.  Works include the construction of safety fencing between the Busway and the foot and cycle path as well as perimeter fencing between Garry Drive and the Busway.   Meanwhile to the south, safety works continue to schedule on the Addenbrooke’s spur of the Busway. We also currently have a team working replace and repair lights along the Busway.

Environmental update

Toad tunnels along the length of the Busway safety fencing works between Histon and Orchard Park have now been cleared of debris, which should improve the ability of amphibians and small animals to get from one side of the Busway to the other.  This work was undertaken with the guidance of an ecologist and took place recently following the end of winter hibernation time.

This week we will be putting in mammal gaps on the new perimeter fencing installed between Pagram Way, Orchard Park and Histon and Impington city-bound stop. Gaps will be installed at 9m intervals as they are in the new separation fencing between the path and Busway fences.

Maintenance track near Fenstanton Lakes reopens

The path alongside the Busway was closed near Fenstanton Lakes due to flooding following the wet weather earlier in the year.  With the more recent sunny weather, the flooded section has now completely dried out, and we reopened the path to pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders at the weekend.  Please note that maintenance work is due in this area this week which will include removing any remaining mud and debris from the track, so please share the path with care.  Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates on whether the path is open or closed. All those using the maintenance track are reminded that they should always keep to the path and must not trespass on the Busway track.

Planned weekend maintenance

We’ll be carrying out routine maintenance on the Busway over upcoming weekends, which will involve local closures of both the Busway and the path which runs alongside it.  Signs will be in place to inform people in advance of these works. We’ll provide further updates on future planned closures through the newsletter and on our website.   Works will take place between Swavesey and Longstanton on the weekends of the 25 to 26 April and the 2 to 3 May.  Please remember, if you spot any issues, or near misses, help us by letting us know via the QR code on signs along the Busway, or through our website.