A petition has been launched to oppose the transformation of Adams Road from a pedestrian and cycle route into a busway as part of the ‘Cambridge City Deal’ proposals.

Adams Road, located in the west of Cambridge, is a principal link between the City Centre and the West Cambridge Site and is regularly used by cyclists and pedestrians. It is currently not a through road for motor traffic but, under the council’s draft proposals, Adams Road could potentially form part of a new bus route connecting West Cambridge to the city centre.

The North Newnham Residents Association have created a petition calling on policy makers to review their proposals in view of the danger and disruption to both people and the environment if the plans are approved.

The Council’s proposals did include a statement that “any infrastructure would seek to enhance [the national cycle network] where possible.” However, Dan Strauss of the North Newnham Residents Association told Varsity: “the combination of thousands of bikes, cars, narrow pavements and 30 buses an hour seems impossible. It’s hard to suggest what solutions may be found – we fear that the most likely outcome would be to divert bikes.” He urged cyclists to sign the petition and called upon the Council to work on improving cycle safety instead.

The road is a well-used access route for students travelling to the laboratories and University Sports Centre (USC) at the West Cambridge Site, and many have expressed their dissatisfaction with the proposals. Robinson student Matthew Chapman said: “I, along with hundreds of others, use Adams Road several times a week to access the USC and West Cambridge Site. It is convenient and safe – introducing buses will increase the danger to hundreds of people every week.”

The petition has attracted support from Mary Beard, Professor of Classics at Newnham, as well as local councillor and law lecturer Markus Gehring, who believes that “existing transport infrastructure is sufficient.”

The petition has already surpassed 500 signatures, and will be sent to Councillor Lewis Herbert, Chair of the Greater Cambridge City Deal Executive Board.

The petition can be found here