Papworth residents to have their say on traffic calming measures for the village

RESIDENTS in Papworth are invited to have their say on traffic calming for the village that will complement a new £8.7million by-pass. Public exhibitions are being held next week.

The traffic calming will help divert some 7,800 vehicles a day from the centre of the village onto the new bypass.

Traffic calming measures will take place in Ermine Street. They will include a speed reduction from 40mph to 30mph, a weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes, to restrict all heavy goods vehicles apart from small trucks and transit vans, safety cushions, give-way features and interactive signs.

Alex Alexander, project manager for Cambridgeshire County Council said: "The traffic calming proposals are designed to reduce speeds and provide a safer environment, especially for children walking to school. It is vital that these measures are put in place for the new bypass to work properly and for through traffic to be deterred from using the village."

The measures would take about two months to build and be completed by next spring. The bypass is currently six weeks ahead of schedule.

Papworth Everard, which is currently split by the A1198, sees 1,300 lorries travelling through the village every day. Between 2000 and 2005, there have been 28 reported accidents on the stretch of the road being bypassed.

A leaflet is being delivered to residents and businesses in Papworth Everard, so people can write to the Project Team with any comments or suggestions.

INFORMATION: Cambridgeshire County Council is holding public exhibitions at the Village Hall on Ermine Street in Papworth Everard on Tuesday November 14 and Thursday November 16 from 5pm-8pm. The proposals have been prepared following consultations held with local groups. To view the plans online go to www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk and click on the A1198 Papworth Bypass section.