The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway linking St Ives, Cambridge and Trumpington opened on 7 August 2011. This blog is now closed to new posts and comments. It was set up for people who travelled the busway, either as bus passengers, or users of the cycle/footpath such as pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
The blog remains visible as a historic record. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the blog over the past decade.
Monday, 18 March 2013
Cycle track flooded yet again
The River Ouse has risen a lot today ( Monday), and as a result the busway cycle track is now under water near the concrete bridge just east of the Ouse Viaduct.
Tuesday 19 March - flood water in the dip between St Ives Park & Ride and the Ouse Viaduct
tell me about it, was fingers crossed allday it had stayed clear, but it was pouring in through that damn tunnel on the way back at 17:50hrs. What time did you see and how bad?
I went passed this morning at 06:00hrs Andrew and the first dip was clear. Bet the low road is flooding now as well, but as usual no news anywhere about that.
I went passed this this morning as well, I was probably about 5 mins behind James and there was no indication that it was going to flood! I wish the county council would have had the vision to raise the cycle track, its so disappointing
They are raising the road by 2 inches at Earith. That may indicate how much vision the County Council has!
It's crazy - the busway is supposed to be the County Council's flagship innovative earth-shattering technology project - and yet the design has a huge flaw!
As at 1pm, there is a huge puddle on Low Road at the entrance to Crystal Lakes, but the foot/cycle path is dry. However, a lot of motorists are going through the puddle too fast and sending up a huge spray - so be warned!
I know, we only need one or two days of rain and you are gauranteed flooding on the busway track. Im expecting the Fen Drayton bit to be flooded tonight.
Well, as you would expect the flooding is still there at (6am) this morning. The water at Fen Drayton lakes was starting to flood the cycle track but it was still passable by bicycle (not under water yey). I sent an email to Cambridgeshire County Council last night asking them if they are going to sort out the flooding in the future. I will let you know what they say.
This is the message I got from Cambs County Council:
"At present it is not possible to do anything about this. We have neither the consent from the Environment Agency nor any funding to raise the track above its current level.
Raising the track would involve us having to create a flood storage volume equivalent to that occupied by the additional material. This cannot be done without acquiring additional land over which we currently have no control. Other solutions are being explored but these are not affordable in the current funding situation.
I'm sad to say that we are stuck with what we have for now. Hopefully it will soon dry up".
I think the way to solve this is to open up the source of solution beyond the County Council. I'm sure the right solution exists, and may even have been thought of, but just hasn't made it into general circulation. Civil Engineers, amateur or not, keep on dreaming, and it will come to you...
Thanks, Stephen. I think raising the cycle track level would make an infinitesimal difference to the flood plain. SAo perhaps it would be good to get some kind of measurement of what is involved - i.e. how many cubic metres. And possibly also part of the solution lies in raising the Earith Causeway onto a low viaduct so that flood water can be allowed to flow through Earith faster and this not be ponded back between Earith and St Ives.
Flooding update - 22 March. The river level has gone down. The cycle track is now dry west of the Ouse Viaduct. At the concrete bridge there is a very short length under water , probably not very deep and probably OK to cycle through. Between Fen Drayton and Swavesey, there is a 300 metre stretch under water.
Thanks Andrew, I crossed the concrete bridge this evening, it should all be gone by Monday. However, the fen Drayton bit seems to be rising there's lots of flooding their now!
Been back on it this week, only the one flooded section , the usual third dip up from Swavesey. after a few months of the normal roads out of St Ives to Cambridge it was very very nice. Came back once in the dark and the new lights are brilliant , make a real difference when buses approaching on full beam. Its like cycling along a runway!!
Bus way clear the whole way from st Ives to west wick. A very small bit of mud here and there near the lakes and the ditches are very full still in places, but it was totally fine to ride. Wonder how long for! It was great not to have to take the detour via fen Stanton etc!
I will be cycling down the buway at 6am tomorrow morning so ill try and keep you updated when I get to cambridge
ReplyDeletetell me about it, was fingers crossed allday it had stayed clear, but it was pouring in through that damn tunnel on the way back at 17:50hrs. What time did you see and how bad?
ReplyDeleteIt was about 18:00 last night but i suppose its academic now as the flooding has taken its grip again!!
DeleteTuesday morning ( 8am). The first dip between St Ives Park & Ride and the Viaduct is now under water, and the water level was rising visibly.
ReplyDeleteI went passed this morning at 06:00hrs Andrew and the first dip was clear. Bet the low road is flooding now as well, but as usual no news anywhere about that.
ReplyDeleteI'll go down the Low Road later on and see what is happening there.
ReplyDeleteThe fen drayton part of the cycle track was clear this morning (06:10), but the flooding after the viaduct is going to take ages to clear!!
DeleteI went passed this this morning as well, I was probably about 5 mins behind James and there was no indication that it was going to flood! I wish the county council would have had the vision to raise the cycle track, its so disappointing
ReplyDeleteThey are raising the road by 2 inches at Earith. That may indicate how much vision the County Council has!
DeleteIt's crazy - the busway is supposed to be the County Council's flagship innovative earth-shattering technology project - and yet the design has a huge flaw!
As at 1pm, there is a huge puddle on Low Road at the entrance to Crystal Lakes, but the foot/cycle path is dry. However, a lot of motorists are going through the puddle too fast and sending up a huge spray - so be warned!
ReplyDeleteThat's good, I will brave it tomorrow morning, I go at 05:00hrs so hopefully avoiding the idiots.
ReplyDeleteI see they have reopened the Thicket path, bet it's flooded today, oh and what about solar stud lighting!
ReplyDeleteI have to walk a neighbour's dog tomorrow, so maybe I;ll explore the Thicket path.
DeleteThe solar light's are presumably waterproof so they can cope with rain. We hope so anyway!
Might be a good light show a night with the under water lighting, we might even get to see some fish!!
DeleteThe flooding is much worse this evening (6pm) on my way home. The fen Drayton part of the busway is still clear
ReplyDeleteCame back via the A1096, didn't fancy the Low road after this morning paddle!
ReplyDeleteCrystal Lakes is aptly named!!!
There is just no capacity in the flood plains to absorb any rainfall, it getting crazy,
I know, we only need one or two days of rain and you are gauranteed flooding on the busway track. Im expecting the Fen Drayton bit to be flooded tonight.
DeleteWent out via the Low rd this morning at 05:00hrs, puddles along the edges but no flood :)
ReplyDeleteWell, as you would expect the flooding is still there at (6am) this morning. The water at Fen Drayton lakes was starting to flood the cycle track but it was still passable by bicycle (not under water yey). I sent an email to Cambridgeshire County Council last night asking them if they are going to sort out the flooding in the future. I will let you know what they say.
ReplyDeleteThis is the message I got from Cambs County Council:
ReplyDelete"At present it is not possible to do anything about this. We have neither the consent from the Environment Agency nor any funding to raise the track above its current level.
Raising the track would involve us having to create a flood storage volume equivalent to that occupied by the additional material. This cannot be done without acquiring additional land over which we currently have no control. Other solutions are being explored but these are not affordable in the current funding situation.
I'm sad to say that we are stuck with what we have for now. Hopefully it will soon dry up".
Fen Drayton is now flooded but only by a couple of inches.
ReplyDeleteI think the way to solve this is to open up the source of solution beyond the County Council. I'm sure the right solution exists, and may even have been thought of, but just hasn't made it into general circulation. Civil Engineers, amateur or not, keep on dreaming, and it will come to you...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stephen. I think raising the cycle track level would make an infinitesimal difference to the flood plain. SAo perhaps it would be good to get some kind of measurement of what is involved - i.e. how many cubic metres. And possibly also part of the solution lies in raising the Earith Causeway onto a low viaduct so that flood water can be allowed to flow through Earith faster and this not be ponded back between Earith and St Ives.
DeleteFlooding update - 22 March. The river level has gone down. The cycle track is now dry west of the Ouse Viaduct. At the concrete bridge there is a very short length under water , probably not very deep and probably OK to cycle through. Between Fen Drayton and Swavesey, there is a 300 metre stretch under water.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew, I crossed the concrete bridge this evening, it should all be gone by Monday. However, the fen Drayton bit seems to be rising there's lots of flooding their now!
ReplyDeleteYes, that Fen Drayton bit seems to fill up slowly, then drain away even slower.
DeleteBeen back on it this week, only the one flooded section , the usual third dip up from Swavesey. after a few months of the normal roads out of St Ives to Cambridge it was very very nice.
ReplyDeleteCame back once in the dark and the new lights are brilliant , make a real difference when buses approaching on full beam. Its like cycling along a runway!!
Has the level dropped off yet?
ReplyDeleteI haven't been along there since the weekend, but will take a look tomorrow if I get the chance.
DeleteIt's dry now - but covered with grit and debris.
DeleteThis "solution" to getting past the flooded sections, published on the Swavesey village website on 1st April is worth a read!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.swavesey.org.uk/general_information/busway_flooding_solution.pdf
Excellent!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update.
ReplyDeleteI'll give it a try on the way home tonight and report back...
That's brilliant I hope it works
ReplyDeleteBus way clear the whole way from st Ives to west wick. A very small bit of mud here and there near the lakes and the ditches are very full still in places, but it was totally fine to ride. Wonder how long for! It was great not to have to take the detour via fen Stanton etc!
ReplyDelete