Why a cycle campaigner would support parking in an unsegregated cycle lane when a decision maker???

This is a blog post in response to a number of people who’ve asked the above question.  I believe I’ve got a great record in getting cycle and pedestrian friendly schemes implemented across my division, as well as staunchly supporting wider cycle/pedestrian initiatives across the County.

I also happen to believe in the politics of the possible – which doesn’t mean ignoring per sae the views of those who might think pedestrian cycle infrastructure has too much priority, whether I agree with that or not.

The answer to the question is that, the final decision is a compromise, and of course, I didn’t.  

Liberal Democrat County Councillor Ian Manning has hit out at Labour Leader Lewis Herbert after Herbert accused him of wanting “the world to go away, the greater Cambridge Partnership to go away” at a meeting of the Greater Cambridge Partnership Executive yesterday (2017-07-26).

Cllr Manning had submitted notice to the greater Cambridge Partnership that he could not support the plans for Milton Road – after representations at the Local Liaison Forum had once again been effectively ignored.

“Cllr Herbert can claim to be residents’ rep on the Great Cambridge Partnership all he wants, with multiple voices from the community not content with plans, he still won’t stand up for residents and slow the progress of this project.”

Kings Hedges Lib Dem campaigner Jamie Dalzell pressed the meeting as to why the promise of “Mature” replacement trees had now back tracked to “semi mature” replacement trees.

“For all Labour’s criticism of the 2010 coalition, its seems Cllr Herbert is happy to vote along with the Conservatives on half formed plans  that could see Milton Road’s beautiful tree line ruined.” said Jamie.

I'm aware of the persistent parking in the cycle lane, in particular by businesses working on the developments nearby.

Enforcement officers have visited the site 43 times in the last month and issued 6 penalty notices. 

I will continue to follow this up.

In a wonderful example of lack of communication between the City and County Councils, I've found out that the City teams responsible for maintenance of verges/grassed areas weren't aware of the new areas created by the changes around the bend at Water Street/Lane.

Tuesday 18th July has already been labelled Fat Cat Tuesday – the day Cambridgeshire’s Conservative county councillors tore up the recommendations of an independent panel and voted themselves a massive pay rise instead.

The Chisholm Trail, of which Cllr Ian Manning is Vice Chair of (the Liaison Forum) is planned to pass through Coldham's Common.

Vital to this is widening of the paths, which is seeing some opposition.  Cllr Manning has today written to the planning inspectorate in support of the proposals.

The area of Chesterton dubbed the "Triangle" - that bounded by Chesterton Road on the South, Milton Road north, Springfield Road East and Hawthorn Road West is awaiting a solution to parking issues that are plaguing residents' lives.  Cllr Damien Tunnacliffe has been working on these, and now newly elected County Cllr Ian manning is keen to support him.

Tonight was the latest Milton Road Liaison Forum - the local meeting which is meant to be residents' way of inputting into the CIty Deal's plans for the area.

Tonight was the official consultants response to the Residents' Association/Cycle Campaign alterations to the original proposals (known as "Do Optimum"), and I'm afraid to say I'm disappointed overall.

Whilst it is very welcome that Cambridge North station is finally open, there are a number of issues that Cllr Manning Cllr Anna Bradnam (waterbeach) and the Chesterton team are dealing with - read on for more detail.

Cllr Ian Manning has been working with South Cambridgeshire colleagues Cllr Anna Bradnam and Cllr Hazel Smith to investigate concerns that Network Rail are breaching their agreed plans for the station, specifically where it runs up to Long Reach Road.

The nature of the station site means both South Cambridgeshire and City Council officers are involved, hence Lib Dem Councillors working together to ensure the issue is given sufficient attention.