St Matthews Street/Norfolk Street
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The St Matthews/New Street traffic calming introduced in 1992/3 is
one of the most effective such schemes.
It is now relatively safe to cycle and walk around, whereas before cars used to race along there.
One of the aims was to eliminate the "rat run" in the mornings of
irresponsible motorists using this route to progress along East Road
faster. This only works if kind-hearted motorists sitting in East Road traffic
jams let them out from Norfolk Street into East Road, which many do,
presumably assuming them to be residents just starting out.
In late 2002/early 2003 Norfolk Street had additional calming
in the form of huge raised areas, for instance at the St Matthews Street junction.
The raised areas match the pavement level.
Given the excellent St Matthews Street/East Road junction, what's the
necessity for vehicles to be allowed out of Norfolk Street onto East Road?
If it were closed to vehicles, the cyclist and pedestrian safety of the area
would be much improved (particularly sensitive because of the St Matthews
Primary School entrance). The top of the road could then be redesigned according
to pedestrian and cycle needs, for instance by lining it up exactly with
Burleigh Street.
Rough sketch of situation now
Rough sketch of possible rearrangement
Against the odds, in 2002 the Joint Transport committee agreed in principle
to close this end of Norfolk Street to motor traffic and to redesign
it for pedestrian and cyclist convenience.
The scheme just awaits funding.
Cambridge