Sustrans, funded by Active Travel England, and with the support of Cambridgeshire County Council, have selected the Grafham to Brampton Road to run a trial pilot quiet way project. The form of the pilot has not been decided, but it will not involve a road closure.

Sustrans are carrying out a full co-design process with local residents and stakeholders. Several months of local engagement to establish the current situation have now moved into two months of co-designing a solution. There are no pre-determined plans, and any proposals suggested prior to September 2024 have been abandoned in response to local feedback.

This route was initially selected for a number of reasons:

• The funding was specifically for an on-road section of the National Cycle Network in Cambridgeshire
• This section had been classified as very poor by Sustrans
• Some feasibility work had already been carried out in 2023
• There is local demand to connect Huntingdon to Grafham Water and the surrounding villages, yet no safe active travel link
• There is a possible alternative road for vehicles
• Network Rail were closing the road for two months in Autumn 2024, presenting the opportunity to potentially keep the road closed afterwards for an active travel trial

Community drop-in events are being held in the local area this month for residents to suggest possible solutions for the road. This is supported by local Councillor briefings and an online survey as well as other stakeholder engagement around the district.

Following this process a solution will be designed and the appropriate governance and TRO processes followed.

To reconfirm, we are not proposing any form of road closure and any pilot solutions for a trial on the road will be determined through the local engagement co-design process.

[Response published on 17 March 2025]