A seven-year campaign to build a new footpath and cycleway on an ‘extremely dangerous’ road in March is set to see work complete by the end of October.
Cambridgeshire County Council leader Steve Count visited the Norwood Road site this morning (August 16) to see how the 14-week project was progressing.
The long awaited scheme is on track for completion this autumn with the second phase of work requiring the road to be closed for around six weeks from the middle of September.
Cllr Count began work in 2011 to secure ownership of the strip of wasteland which runs alongside the bridge.
In April this year, the land was successfully purchased from Network Rail, and funding agreed for the design and build of a new footpath and cycleway over the railway bridge.
Cllr Count, who is also a councillor on Fenland District Council, said: “This has been an extremely dangerous area as we have got a blind bend and a curve going up hill so this has been really important to get a footpath here.
“It has taken all these years for something to happen so I am very pleased it’s underway now.
“We will be putting in smart lights which are really good for speeding in the area and if you are going over 30 mph they will go red.
“It’s been hugely frustrating and I am sure that the people of March will be as happy as I am when they see this finally open.
“I’ve known people who do not want to walk down here due to safety but this will make it more user-friendly.”
Adam Cobb, project manager for Cambridgeshire County Council, said extensive work would be taking place over the coming weeks with the installation of retaining walls and the design and construction of the footpath and traffic signals.
Around £230,000 of project funding was agreed for the development and design for the work.
“This is an interesting and complex job,” he said.
“Residents will have a brilliant facility and will be able to utilise the new footway and have a safe passage.
“It will link up the missing piece of the jigsaw from Norwood Road to the business development.”
A team of up to 15 are currently on site, with work taking place Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm.
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