Anger that a fence along the length of the Busway will mean Histon and Impington being split in half has prompted a resident to launch a petition against the plans.
Already signed by more than 800 people, the petition points out that Cambridgeshire County Council has indicated it will only allow a limited number of official crossing points, so several of the existing well-used paths that cross the busway in the village could be closed off.
This would mean “disconnecting us either from the woodland or the orchard” the petition says, “both planted by our community, for the community, and limiting access from one side of each village to the other and the connections to footpaths and villages beyond.”
Two informal crossing points in Histon, between the jam factory and St Audrey’s crossing and at least three commonly used crossing points in Impington, between the B1049 and A14 bridge, are highlighted in the petition, which points out that there are also “other desire lines” further north along the busway.
Histon resident Helena Perry, who created the petition, comments: “In a county where we have access to just 0.4% of the land, further restricting access to nature is a threat to our mental and physical health.
“If barriers must be installed it is also crucial that they are designed to allow safe passage to the rich ecosystem that has developed along this route. This is not purely an environmental issue, but a moral obligation to protect the biodiversity we cherish and live alongside.”
“Shocking and shortsighted”
Helena asks those in favour of maintaining the access points throughout the village – and potentially elsewhere – to sign the petition to “call on the County Council to ensure that the proposed busway safety fencing does not block existing footpaths that cross the busway and which are well used by people and animals.”
She told HI HUB: “The Orchard and Histon Woods (WI Woods) were planted by the community for the community. Severing the connection between the north and south of our villages, cutting off our access to the very few remaining green spaces is therefore shocking and short sighted.
“I personally use these woods at least twice a day to walk my dog, reset my nervous system and have a short circular walk. They are incredibly well used by people of all ages.
“If we want to preserve our wildlife, we must have a firsthand relationship with it. The very fact that we are having to defend our access to the nature on our doorstep makes my blood boil. Fencing this off shows a lack of understanding of our community and its needs and a quick short-term solution, the full implications of which have not been fully considered!”
Councillor support
Histon & Impington County Councillor Ros Hathorn, who chairs their Environment and Green Investment Committee, has also been involved in drawing up the petition. She comments on social media “It is not clear what the County intend to do in terms of Busway access when the planned fencing is installed.
“I believe it’s really important to demonstrate the strength of feeling for maintaining access for people and nature so that we can push the Council to accommodate the needs of the community and nature.”
She continued: “The County Council is not going to change its view on fencing – to an extent I don’t think it has a choice. If this was a workplace I think there would be fencing.
“This work, the petition etc. is making a case for how the fencing should be designed to address our need.”
Residents’ views
Residents who will be most affected by a fence have also taken to social media to share their concerns, which include the impact on wildlife, access to a vital green space and challenges for those with limited mobility.
One commented “…immediate access to the woodland and fields was a major factor in deciding to buy our house on Park Avenue, and has been incredibly important for mental and physical health, and for promoting conversations in the tricky teenage years.”
Another resident said routes across the Busway were invaluable when they were recovering from surgery: “I relied on various crossing points to gradually extend the length of my walks without having to go back on myself. I rely on my daily walks for my mental health.”
The potential impact on wildlife was also spelled out, with one person saying they are “We would hate to think of animals such as badgers, foxes or muntjac being trapped on the busway without an exit route. We have seen all these animals in this area.”
Finding the balance
The importance of finding the right balance that recognises needs beyond safety is a common theme, with one person suggesting “a low rail, with open space below, and short gaps at current crossings” as a solution to serving safety aims without impeding wildlife or local residents.
Another resident commented: “When policy makers become entirely focused on attempting to eradicate one particular cause of loss of life without taking anything else into consideration, they lose all sense of balance, and end up disregarding quality of life for the entire community, without even necessarily achieving their aims.”
The deadline for signing the petition is Monday 14 July. It can be signed at Change.Org, titled ‘Save access across the busway for people and nature’. Anyone not online can sign the petition and make comments in person outside Tesco Histon on Saturday morning, 12 July.
READ ALSO: Fence to be installed along Busway and If you go down to the woods today and Take a seat and rest awhile
Please don’t ruin the busway for walkers and cyclists by coming to ill-considered decisions too hastily which can’t be reversed – let’s have a proper consultation to consider all options carefully, not this rush. Any interventions due to health and safety need to be balanced with adverse impacts on amenity value which have their own significant health and other disbenefits.
The metal fence which has been installed south of the main Cambridge station looks horrible, gives the feeling of being trapped and the vertical bars seem almost designed to catch bicycle pedals.
Surely there is no need for any change where there is already a verge between busway and cycle way. At some other locations there may be a case for something to supplement the current ‘kerb’, but just one very low horizontal wooden ‘rail’ would surely be enough to separate walkers and cyclists from the busway, except where the cycleway is especially narrow, goes under a bridge or is very busy. Then people could continue to cross where they wish.
Unbelievable. There will always be a number of people who make poor choices and are unable to safely navigate a perfectly navigable world. This is another example of everyone else and our environment paying the price. Completely disproportionate.
If you would like to feature in a photo to highlight the importance of these routes, please join us with our lovely banner at the corner of Manor Park Meadow on Monday 14th July at 6.30pm. Dogs and children very welcome!
Also if you have a comment please post it below, so that it can be seen publicly by those who will decide on this issue.