Getting across the Sawston bypass on foot or bike

The SCambs planning committee had a difficult decision to make this afternoon. Proposals to redevelop part of the Sawston Business Park (near the Spicers buildings and the rail crossing)were before us. Some councillors were concerned that road traffic on the Sawston bypass (the A1301) would increase as a result, making it more dangerous for people to use the footpaths from Whittlesford to Sawston. This was one reason for a previous application to be rejected.

However, traffic projections based on the numbers of vehicles likely to be visiting the site (and possibly fewer HGVs) suggest that the traffic would not be any busier than previously. In addition, the developers propose to pay for better footpaths to Whittlesford, and to improve the crossing facilities for cyclists and pedestrians across the bypass. This would be under a section 106 agreement. The planning application was eventually approved.

Clearly anyone crossing the A1301 on foot or bike has to very careful, but that tends to be the nature of busy bypass roads. The task in the future will be to make sure that the footpaths and the crossing facility proposals prove effective. This is something that I will keep a keen eye on, just as I keep an eye on the traffic when I cross over to Sawston by bike!

pic by Duncan Grey