Residents of West Chesterton have the chance to improve our walking links. Please sign our petition to the developers of the Westbrook Centre to say YES to a more accessible neighbourhood!

What’s the problem?
The Westbrook Centre is part of a large block in West Chesterton that is impermeable to walking. The lack of walking links make it difficult for residents to access nearby schools, work, or other community facilities by foot.

For example, the area within 10 minutes’ walk of Lilywhite Drive (which lies behind the Westbrook Centre) is significantly smaller than in other parts of Cambridge, as walking from Lilywhite Drive to most destinations usually involves a long detour via Milton Road. The lack of walking routes disproportionally affects those less able to walk long distances, including young children, the elderly and disabled people.

Image shows the area that can be covered within a 10 minute walk of various points in Cambridge. The area covered within 10 minutes walk of Lilywhite Drive (blue) is significantly smaller than in other parts of Cambridge. Image produced using iso4app.net

What is being proposed and how would this help?
As part of the redevelopment of the Westbrook Centre, the developer proposes adding new walking links from the Westbrook Centre to Gilbert Road, Corona Road and Lilywhite Drive. These changes are supported by Cambridge City Council policy, having been included in the Mitcham’s Corner Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document, which was subject to public consultation in 2016 and adopted by the council in 2018.

These links would facilitate quicker access to Milton Road Primary School, Chesterton Community College, St. Luke's Primary School, Alexandra Gardens, Jesus Green and various other destinations for residents of Lilywhite Drive. 

The links would also benefit the wider community in West Chesterton by providing a shortcut between Victoria Road and either Milton Road or Gilbert Road that avoids the busy Mitcham's corner area. The proposed links would facilitate access to new community facilities that the developer is proposing to provide. The proposed facilities currently include a café, hireable meeting rooms, exhibition and conference space, and a play area.

How would these links improve pedestrian safety and reduce exposure to air pollution?

The most direct route between Victoria Road and either Milton Road, Gilbert Road or Lilywhite Drive currently involves a dangerous section at Mitcham's corner, with a narrow pavement and two lanes of fast traffic. This is the most direct route to school for children who attend nearby Milton Road Primary School and live on or off Victoria Road (including Corona Road, Green's Road and Primrose Street which are all within the school's catchment area)

The proposed links would allow pedestrians to bypass this section, improving pedestrian safety and reducing exposure to air pollution for vulnerable children.

How can potential downsides be avoided?
We understand that changes to the environment always cause some fear of the unknown and that some of our neighbours on Corona Road and Lilywhite Drive perceive these changes to be a risk to security. However, criminals are less likely to commit crimes when they know they are being watched and allowing walking and cycling through the area would provide natural surveillance to act as a deterrent to criminal behaviour. The function of the new Westbrook Centre as a life sciences campus with laboratory space will also mean that security in the area is likely to be high.

We think there should be a proportionate response to these concerns, rather than a blanket ban at all times. This could include:

• The developer monitoring the links for a period after implementation for any significant disbenefits 
• Restricting access at certain times (for example, at night)
• Ensuring all new paths are well lit and accessible to all users

If you have any comments or concerns, would like to help our campaign in any way, or want to get in touch for any other reason please contact BetterWalkingWestChesterton@gmail.com