Cam-Cycle has launched an open letter to lobby for safe cycling and walking routes in the community.

A campaign group has put forward a proposal to bring about safer walking and biking routes around Huntingdon.

The Hunts Walking and Cycling Group wants to see pop-up cycle lanes which would make it safer for youngsters cycling to school.

John Morris, district councillor for Brampton and Hinchingbrooke said: “We have put forward a plan for a number of potential pop-up cycle lanes to Cambridgeshire County Council. These would provide safer routes for children to walk and cycle to Hinchingbrooke School.

“Two of the schemes we are looking at include proposing a cycle lane over the old bridge to Godmanchester and reallocating one of the lanes on the ring road from the Old Bridge Hotel around the bend opposite the bus station.

“We have proposed temporary traffic lights on the old bridge to allow motor traffic to pass over the bridge only one way at a time.

“There would then be space for a temporary pop up cycle lane on the carriageway.

“This would separate cyclists from pedestrians on the bridge making it safer for all vulnerable road users.

“It would also help with social distancing.”

“Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport announced on 9th May that it expects local authorities to make significant changes to their road layouts to give more space to cyclists and pedestrians.

“Many authorities have already begun to do this, to ensure transport networks support recovery from the COVID-19 emergency and provide a lasting legacy of greener, safer transport. “We are urging Cambridgeshire County Council to provide pop up cycle lanes in our market towns in Huntingdonshire and to provide safer routes to schools for children who walk and cycle.“If people would like to see more road space reallocated for walking and cycling, then I urge them to consider writing to county and district councillors to ask them if they will sign the Cam Cycle open letter.”

Cam-Cycle has launched an open letter to ensure safe cycling and walking in the community during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The organisation has said people who need to cycle to, or for, work, including healthcare workers, cycle couriers and key workers must be able to stay safe during and after the lockdown period.

Mayor for the Combined Authority for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, James Palmer, is lobbying for the region’s share of a UK-wide investment in such schemes.

He said: “My absolute priority is to enable people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to get back to work and their lives as quickly and safely as possible.

“One thing that is so important to get right is transport. Hunts Walking & Cycling Group has more than 450 members and promotes active travel options in Huntingdonshire.

To find out more, search for ‘Hunts Walking & Cycling Group’ on FacebookCambridgeshire and Peterborough residents can add their ideas and sign the open letter at: camcycle.org.uk/spacestobreathe.