England’s first “cycle street” has been shut within just months of being operational, despite costing £2.4million.
Adams Road in Cambridge was opened just months ago, yet has already been closed because road markings were said not to meet standards.
Estimates suggest that around 3,000 cyclists use the route every day, with the street giving pedestrians and cyclists priority over vehicles.
The Greater Cambridge Partnership stated that usage was expected to increase with development taking place nearby.
It stated that red surfacing had been added to the road, in addition to street lighting being installed along Adams Road.
However, since then, the GCP has admitted that the road needs to be closed again due to further works for around two weeks.
The road will be closed from Monday, August 10, between 7.30am and 6pm, for two weeks between Grange Road and Wilberforce Road.
The Partnership said the remaining road lining on Adams Road would be completed, as well as all remaining sections of lining being carried out.
Adams Road in Cambridge became England’s first cycle street
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The cycle street on Adams Road in Cambridge opened earlier this year
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It added: “Pedestrian and cyclist access will remain unaffected throughout the works with vehicle access maintained for residents and businesses located within the closure.
“If you require access, please approach either of the closure points at Grange Road or Wilberforce Road and speak to a member of staff, who will arrange access through the works.”
Despite the roadworks, access to the Wilberforce Road sports facilities will be unaffected.
The road was originally narrowed to discourage vehicles from passing cyclists, with cyclists encouraged to take the central position in the road.
The cycle street cost £2.4million to install
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This mirrors rules set out in the Highway Code, which states that cars should not follow behind a cyclist, nor overtake them.
Signage and road markings have been installed to indicate that cyclists have priority, as well as changing the carriageway to be red.
The £2.4million road scheme has improved the foundation of the footways, cleaned the drainage network and introduced rain gardens to reduce pressure on the system.
The Greater Cambridge Partnership outlined that it would continue to monitor how the street is operating with the existing traffic sensors.
The road will remain closed for two weeks as maintenance works take place
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Further monitoring will see the GCP engage with key stakeholders and residents to “hear first-hand accounts of their experiences on the street”.
A GCP spokesperson told The Daily Mail: “While carrying out a routine quality assurance check on our Adams Road project, it became clear some of the road markings were not up to the required standards.
“Our contractor, M Group, takes full responsibility and is removing and replacing them at their own expense. There is no additional cost to the GCP or taxpayers.
“As a result of this work, the road will be closed for approximately two weeks, with access maintained for residents. We apologise for any inconvenience.”