Old Woodhead Drive play area

As reported in a blogpost from our neighbours in West Chesterton the old play area on Woodhead Drive, just across Downhams Lane from Gladeside and Alice Bell Close is due to be removed shortly. Councillor's have been sent an email by officers with an update about the park.

A project is about to be drawn-up to install a new play area at Woodhead Drive by the Summer of 2011 to replace the existing one which admittedly is not a fine example of the city’s play facilities at present. The council has taken the view that pouring money into a temporary solution would not be prudent when a completely new play area is imminent. Further, the opening of George Nuttall Close play area last year, a few 100 metres up the road has meant that any play area provision in the area has not been severely lessened. At present this play area has been fenced off with chestnut pale as the site is not deemed fit for purpose. Instead I would like to propose that we bring forward the decommissioning of the play area which would have a two-fold benefit of removing the unsightliness and the necessity for a more costly hired heras fence to stop unwanted intrusions.

Whilst we had hoped this play area would be refurbished last year (as accidentally stated in the email!) it is good news that the park is in fact on the agenda to be refurbished this summer. If you have any thoughts on this please do let the team know, and watch this space for further updates.

Adoption of Downham's Lane as Public Highway

Despite both the City and County Council's performing various works on the Lane over recent years (largely in recognition of the important part it plays as a local cycle route) the Lane itself has never been designated as a public highway.

The background to this change is that in November 2010 the Rights of Way and Access Team (on Cambridgeshire County Council) was approached by Cambridge City Council's Cycling Team regarding dedication of part of Downham's Lane, Cambridge in order that that Team might undertake improvements to the route for the benefit of pedestrians and cyclists.

As you may know, Downham's Lane has been heavily used as a through-route between Milton Road and residential estates by pedestrians and cyclists for many years the change to a public highway would therefore not only enable improvement works to be undertaken, but also potentially save the County Council substantial amount of officer time.

Making the change would also clearly contribute to local traffic management in encouraging safe off-road cycling and walking. Various City and County Council policies support work such as this, particularly the Northern Corridor Area Transport Plan for Cambridge adopted in 2003.

The proposed status of highway is a public restricted byway, which confers equal rights for pedestrians and cyclists but does not permit motorised vehicles.

Three landowners are involved - the University of Cambridge, Ranc Care Homes Ltd and Cambridge City Council. All have consented to the proposal.

The final decision will be made by the Director Highways & Access on Monday 4th April. As your local Councillor I'll be supporting the move.

Downham's lane surface and verge

The state that that the second stage of Downham's Lane has been left by developers has been raised by some residents. The road has been left in a mess, but I have been assured that the verges will be reinstated. The damage to the road surface is more controversial: the builders say that they had made repairs to the surface prior to the works and that they will leave it in a better state than they found it. This may not be the state we would in an ideal world like.

However officers from both the City and County are continuing to chase the developers and I have received an assurance that the worst potholes will be repaired by the builders as a good will gesture anyway.

We will keep working and hopefully have better news soon.

The situation is made more complex as the road is not Highways land but privately owned.

Arbury Court play area

I have been told that the repairs to Arbury Court play area should be completed this week, the excavations began on Friday and new kit is ready to be installed.

In related news I have reported the damaged fence on the play area on the corner of Downham's Lane and Woodhead Drive.