Cambridge Cycling Campaign criticises junction plans

Work on the four-way junction in Cambridge city centre could begin this summer

A scheme to alter a road junction in Cambridge to make it safer for cyclists has been criticised - by bike riders.

The £900,000 scheme near the Catholic church on Hills Road was approved by the county council on Tuesday.

It includes a proposal to trial lights giving cyclists priority over other traffic in an effort to reduce accidents.

The Cambridge Cycling Campaign said the changes would be an improvement but do "not go far enough."

David Earl, from the group, said: "Our vision for this and other junctions in Cambridge is one where people actively see cycling as the best way to get about, thus reducing traffic.

"We urge the council to design a second stage of changes for the junction which implement the principle of proper cycle priority lanes on all approaches."

The plans for the four-way junction will replace equipment installed almost 20 years ago.

Tony Orgee, cabinet member for community infrastructure, said the area would always be a "bottleneck", but described the addition of a new cycle lane as "a very positive step forward".

It is hoped work on the junction could begin in the summer.