Work to start on bus gate on busy city road

Work is to start soon on the Mill Road bridge, which goes over the railway

Work to install a bus gate that stops most cars using part of on a busy city road will start next month.

Work on the Mill Road bridge bus gate in Cambridge will begin on 11 November and is scheduled to last until 25 November.

Cambridgeshire County Council said most of the closures would take place at night, between 19:00 and 06:00 GMT, but emergency services could still use the bridge and buses would be allowed through most of the time.

Once implemented, it will mean the bridge will be closed to all motor vehicles except buses, the emergency services, taxis and blue badge holders' registered vehicles.

The council said during the installation period, work would include resurfacing, adding signage, cameras and road markings to warn drivers of the restrictions.

New traffic islands would also be added either side of the bridge.

Warning signs about the works are expected be displayed from Monday and letters are being distributed to households in the area.

Pedestrians will be able to use the bridge during the installation but cyclists will be required to dismount and use the pavement at times.

A diversion will be in place for all other traffic, but vehicle access to properties would be maintained for residents, the council said.

There are currently six bus gates in Cambridge, including this one on Silver Street

Some residents and businesses on Mill Road who have long been opposed to the proposed restrictions have argued the scheme would displace traffic to other parts of the city, affect some businesses and make it difficult for people with caring responsibilities.

The council said bus gate rules would be enforced by Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras (ANPR).

Once installed, there will be a 28-day period where non-exempt vehicles will receive warning notices only and if they are exempt, would be encouraged to register online.

Fines are expected to come into effect from early 2025.