Broad Street Road Layout Transformation
The project to transform the Broad Street road layout is being delivered through Cambridgeshire County Council's March Area Transport Study (MATS), funded by a combination of a £4.2million investment from MATS and £3.6million from the March Future High Streets Fund programme.
The project is the result of several years of consultation with the public as part of the Growing Fenland work and MATS, as well as in response to the future needs of the town as it continues to grow.
The project has several key aims:
- To increase capacity for future anticipated growth in the town
- To offer a more open, social and pedestrian-friendly environment
- To increase traffic flow through the town centre, reducing standing traffic
- To reduce pollution
- To revitalise the public realm of the town
- To bring back into focus key historic points of interest
Design concepts/headline improvements:
- Traffic signals removed at northern end of the road and replaced with a new mini roundabout
- Northbound roadway removed with conversion to pedestrian space
- Conversion of the southbound lanes to a north/south roadway
- Historic water fountain relocated to a more accessible public space
- Creation of several new zebra crossings throughout the street
- The relocation of two double length bus stops
The improvements will be complimented by a raft of public realm enhancements, including new paving, planters, trees and bike racks, delivered and funded through the March Future High Streets programme.
Above: Existing aerial view of Broad Street, looking south
Above: Artist's impression of Broad Street, looking south
Above: Existing aerial view of Broad Street, looking north
Above: Artist's impression of Broad Street, looking north
When all of the traffic changes are implemented together there will be a reduction in the standing traffic that currently happens today. Standing traffic will be replaced with a more freely flowing, steady stream of traffic throughout the town.
While peak times will always be busy, the scheme allows cars to clear the junction more quickly than under the existing layout, and also allows capacity for future anticipated growth in the town.
Traffic modelling has been undertaken to ensure that this is the case using industry standard assessment tools. The modelling used by highway designers when making major changes to road layouts and junctions relies on real-time usage data collected from the town as it is now. This data is then adjusted to anticipate increased traffic volumes due to the growth in the town.
View the new road layout in action
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