Date: 08 October 2006 16:21

MAJOR SURVEY SET TO START ON CAMBRIDGE'S TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

> Motorists will play a vital role in providing essential information that 
> will help reduce congestion in Cambridge as the historic city grows.

> A major survey of motorists will be carried out over seven days during the 
> next three weeks on the main roads into the city - starting Tuesday, 
> October 10.

> Information gained from motorists will be used to shape the Long-term 
> Local Transport Plan for Cambridge and be used to design new schemes to 
> address congestion. This information will be essential to help plan 
> transport initiatives to manage the traffic to be generated from thousands 
> of homes due to be built in and around Cambridge over the next 15 years.

> One road will be done at a time and motorists will be pulled to one side 
> to be asked questions - the interview should just take a couple of 
> minutes. Police will be on hand to control traffic and try to ensure 
> minimise delay as well as help those who take part rejoin the traffic 
> flow.

> At peak periods and where necessary motorists will be given postcards to 
> fill out at their leisure and traffic will be allowed to flow if queues 
> start to build up.

> Questions motorists will be asked include where they have come from, their 
> destination, where they will park and purpose of their journey.

> Bob Tuckwell, Strategic Transport Advisor for Cambridgeshire County 
> Council, said: "This information will play a key part in helping to 
> understand exactly the traffic patterns in and around Cambridge and 
> deliver schemes to tackle congestion. We have lots of high-tech surveying 
> options but there is no real substitute to actually talking directly to 
> drivers. We know there could be some delays and we apologise for that. It 
> is not something we do lightly but it will mean the answers given will 
> have a direct impact on shaping the way traffic and transport will be 
> managed in the future. Including roads, public transport, parking and Park 
> and Ride."

John Reynolds