'First cycle street' shut after two months for works

BBC Road closure signs, barriers and traffic cones with a red cycle street behind it.BBC
The road was closed on Monday for 11 days

A new £2.4m road claimed to be England's first "cycle street" has closed after just a few months because road markings were said not to be up to standard.

Adams Road in the west of Cambridge, said to be used by 3,000 cyclists per day, gives cyclists and pedestrians priority over motorists.

It opened at the end of May, but was closed on Monday until 21 August, and the double yellow lines appear to have been removed as part of the work.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP), which was behind the project, said while carrying out routine checks "it became clear some of the road markings were not up to the required standards". The contractor, M Group, has been contacted for comment.

A red road where double yellow lines have stones over them.
The double yellow lines appear to have been removed as part of the work

The GCP said: "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."

The street is part of a wider so-called "greenway" scheme by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP), which aims to improve walking and cycling journeys between the city and the village of Comberton.

The road has been painted red, and footpaths have been widened, while much of the on-road parking was removed to eliminate blind spots for drivers exiting driveways and reduce the risk of doors opening onto riders.

Under the rules, motorists can access the road but must give way to cyclists.

While the work is ongoing, residents' access remains and the GCP apologised for any inconvenience.

Tom Jackson/BBC General view of Adams Road, which is a red road with double yellow lines, cycles painted on to the road and a cyclist on it.Tom Jackson/BBC
Adams Road, pictured when it opened, had a bright surface

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