Controversial £2.4 million cycle street could be torn up after trial period, admits head of organisation that built it

Published: 14:17, 28 May 2026 | Updated: 14:19, 28 May 2026 A controversial £2.4 million 'cycle street' where bikes are given priority over vehicles could be ripped up and returned to its former state, the head of the organisation behind it has admitted. The scheme on Adams Road in Cambridge - which is used by 3,000 cyclists every day - was hailed as the first of its kind in England. It claims to have improved safety for those on two wheels and pedestrians by removing on-road parking, reconfiguring junctions to slow traffic, raising crossings and widening footpaths. But critics have questioned the investment as the Mail revealed there had been just two collisions involving bicycles in the past six years, with only one of them deemed serious. Detractors also asked why the money couldn't be spent fixing potholes and pointed out similar schemes wouldn't work on narrower, more dangerous roads. Brian Milnes, the chairman of the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) which installed the bright red, third-of-a-mile-long cycle street, today revealed its future depended on a trial period. He said: 'It's not permanent until we've gone through the process and seen how it's working. It's obviously experimental in nature... 'There's a consultation involved in this. We'll keep it under review so that we don't make horrible mistakes that we can't back out of.' The £2.4 million 'cycle street' in Cambridge could be ripped up and returned to its former state, the head of the organisation behind it has admitted Asked if others would follow if it was deemed a success, he added: 'Obviously the answer is yes. If we've got something that works and it goes down well, we're likely to try it somewhere else. 'If not, we'd return it to how it was or make modifications for a better solution.' It is not yet clear how long the consultation would run for but it is likely it would last at least a year. Mr Milnes, who is the deputy leader of the Lib Dem group on South Cambridgeshire District Council - one of several local authorities and other bodies that make up the GCP - also defended the use of the money. He explained it came from the 2014 Greater Cambridge City Deal, under which central government handed over £1 billion to unlock innovation-led economic growth in the region. 'It restricted where the money can be spent. It didn't include road improvements,' he said. The cycle street would help cyclists get around as the city experienced increasing congestion due to a 'huge increase in housing and business growth', Mr Milnes added.  He previously stated the cycle street was needed because there had been 'too many stories of cyclists being knocked off their bikes and car doors suddenly opening into their path, while elderly and vulnerable residents have to step into the road to just get around bins and parked cars'. The scheme on Adams Road in Cambridge - which is used by 3,000 cyclists every day - was hailed as the first of its kind in England But a request by the Mail for official statistics revealed Adams Road had just two reported 'collisions involving a cyclist' in seven years, one classified as slight in 2019 and the other deemed serious in 2024. There was no data clarifying whether the collisions were with vehicles or with other cyclists or pedestrians. When the Mail visited the road yesterday, the residents' parking bays were so narrow that the cars' wheels were left sitting outside the dotted lines, forcing moving cars into the path of cyclists. Critics also pointed out the measures, in one of Cambridge's most exclusive streets where one detached house sold for in excess of £3.5 million, would 'never work' in less wealthy areas where homeowners don't have off-street parking. Driver Bob Heath, who is in his 60s and was visiting a friend in the area, said: 'What about all the terraced houses on narrow roads in Cambridge? This would never work there. It's fine if you can afford one of these places though.' A pedestrian, who gave his name as Ian, commented: 'I've never seen anyone knocked off their bike down here. 'It used to be a normal road, with cars parked on either side. Cars and bikes had to go pretty slowly because there wasn't much space.' Frazer Merritt, 44, who is originally from Wisconsin in the US, questioned why money was being spent on 'vanity projects' like Adams Road instead of fixing potholes and uneven pavements. The road - one of the most exclusive in Cambridge, with detached houses selling for more than £3.5 million - seen before the work was done He said: 'My mum is 82 years old and can only walk a block at most. It's difficult pushing her around Cambridge because many of the sidewalks and roads are in a pretty bad state. 'There's been several instances where she's had to stop and get out… 'I would challenge any council member to spend a day in a wheelchair and see how difficult it is to get around.' Mr Merritt also branded the lack of maintenance on Cambridge's roads 'disrespectful' to blue-collar workers like plumbers, electricians and cab drivers who depend on vehicles for their livelihoods. Online resistance included a comment from someone with the username Freddly, who said: 'It's important that projects like this go into "poorer" areas of the city too. 'The value of houses on Adams Street (sic) will go up. Less wealthy citizens in other areas should also benefit from the car removal bounty.' Brexit498 asked: 'First, what is this costing? As for the climate argument, the existing Tarmac (in good condition) was torn up (a lot of energy) and replaced with new Tarmac. How is this good for the climate?' Alydavud added: 'A better solution would be to ban cyclists as well and make it a much safer street for walkers. Detractors listed problems including shallow residents parking bays pushing stationary vehicles into the road 'If that is a success then continue the scheme across Cambridge, allowing motor vehicles as necessary.' However, one homeowner said: 'I think it looks really good. There is less parking on the road now.' And an undergraduate praised it, saying: 'I like it. The road is super smooth to cycle on and there are fewer cars on either side.' A debate about cyclists and pedestrians being given priority generally over motorists has raged for years in the city. Critics say the cycling lobby is too powerful and argue schemes championed by the GCP are anti-car and detrimental to the area and its economy. Recent controversies have included a 'bus gate' in Mill Road, which only allows buses, taxis, pedestrians and cyclists over a bridge. Opponents claim the blockage on a major route towards the city centre forced motorists to drive much further on journeys and slashed trade for the shops and bars in the cosmopolitan area. It has also raised up to £1 million in fines in its first year in operation, it emerged earlier this month. Frazer Merritt, 44, questioned why money was being spent on 'vanity projects' like Adams Road instead of fixing potholes and uneven pavements that make it difficult for his mother, Chris, to get around the city on her wheelchair Two years ago, it was announced that a footpath running alongside a £24 million road upgrade would be altered after residents pointed out it was so narrow that pedestrians were at risk of being hit by cyclists. The controversial scheme on Milton Road - vehemently opposed by many residents over mature trees and shrubs that had to be torn out – created a 6ft 6in wide path for cyclists. But streetlights and telegraph poles along the adjacent footpath, which runs for more than two miles in total in both directions, left pedestrians less than 3ft of space. Cambridge also introduced the UK's first Dutch-style roundabout in 2020 at a cost of £2.3 million but this saw more collisions in its first three years than the previous three years. There were ten collisions after the 'cyclist killing zone', as it was dubbed, was completed, three of them serious, compared to six minor incidents 2017-2019. Of these, eight involved cyclists and the others were a pedestrian and a driver. Announcing the opening of the cycle street, Mr Milnes said: 'This project is about putting people first — making everyday journeys safer and easier for everyone.' Dan Strauss, representing Adams Road residents, said: 'Change is so needed. Adams Road is a cycling success story but as it's got busier, hundreds of parked cars are creating blind spots for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. 'Fast-moving traffic, crowded pavements and constant near misses have turned one of the busiest cycle routes in Cambridge into an unsafe cycling experience. 'As well as this, parents worry about letting children ride bikes or scooters, and families have watched loved ones using mobility aids forced to navigate one obstacle after another on narrow pavements. 'We're a cycling city and we're proud to be leading the way in showing how we can better share our roads to provide safe travel for all.' Cambridgeshire County Council confirmed it had 'records of two reported collisions involving a cyclist on Adams Road'. A spokesman said: 'One [was] classified as slight in 2019 and one as serious in 2024. 'These figures do not include near-misses or unreported incidents, which residents and stakeholders have told us are a regular concern.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.