The initial designs for a new formal Busway crossing and upgraded path in Histon will be shared at Cambridgeshire County Council’s next drop-in session. The Council has now confirmed the event will take place on 9 June at Histon Baptist Church, between 5:30pm and 7:30pm.
A public survey revealed the Community Orchard is the preferred location for a new formal crossing – and Council officers will be available to talk through their plans and listen to feedback from residents.
A Council spokesperson added: “Following the meeting, they will also make the designs available online for those unable to come along in person.”
‘Unanswered questions’
Last year, informal crossing points along the Guided Busway were controversially closed as part of ongoing measures which also involve installing safety fencing.
After extensive community campaigning, the Council’s Highways and Transport Committee allocated £2 million towards new and improved crossings along the route, including reinstating one at Histon.
Campaigner Helena Perry is putting up posters around the village to raise awareness of the June meeting. She feels it would be more helpful if the designs were shared with residents beforehand, rather than at the event itself.
She said: “We have so many questions for the Council that are still unanswered. The community wants to know what the crossing and the path designs will be like so they can prepare their feedback.
“We also want the Council to confirm what’s happening with the awful, palisade prison fencing that has been installed. When is it going to be removed? It’s excessive, a barrier to wildlife and the community wants it taken down.
“Finally, there needs to be clarity on the project’s timeline, the ongoing maintenance after the works are complete and consideration in the design for including a second bus stop.”
Poor communication
There has been widespread criticism of the way the Busway fencing project has been communicated to residents in the village – with Helena describing the issue as “deeply frustrating”.
She said: “At previous meetings, individual Council officers weren’t even on the same page when they were speaking to residents.
“It feels as though involving the community is seen as a hindrance rather than a potential benefit, which is deeply frustrating because we live here, we are the experts on what will work here, and what we want and need. Involving us would be time and cost efficient and result in places we value and care for.
“We don’t want to hear ‘this is what we are doing’ and then short notice given before the work starts. We want to contribute, and also be on board with the plans – and I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”
Community input
H&I’s county councillor Ros Hathorn explained “it’s really important” residents look closely at the designs and make their case if any changes to the designs are going to be proposed.
Ros said: “The Council did say it would review the palisade fencing – so we also need to make it very clear that needs to be changed.
“From the conversations I’ve had, I believe there is a change being proposed to the footpath network to make the area more wheelchair friendly.
“I’ve been speaking to wheelchair users in the village and one thing they would really like is to see the Community Orchard – and this would certainly help them.”
She added: “I have also heard the initial designs will not include a bus stop. However Stagecoach has told us it will support a second stop for the village, so we would hope the design will accommodate for this to be retrofitted in the future.”
While Ros said she is aware the initial designs were not being released ahead of the meeting, she will contact officers “to encourage” them to be shared with the community.
Cambridgeshire County Council’s drop-in session will take place at Histon Baptist Church on 9 June, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. For further information about the project, visit the Guided Busway improvements page on the Council’s website.
READ MORE: Preferred location for Busway crossing revealed, Campaigner vows to ‘keep the pressure on’ to reinstate busway crossing, Busway crossing closures – the community has its say, Residents left confused after Busway fencing drop-in
