Busway neglect - latest photos of debris

This week I've been in contact with my two local County Councillors about the dire state of the cycle track, especially between St Ives and Fen Drayton.

There is a lot of tree debris lying on the track, made worse by the recent gales. In the last  few days, a Council maintenance team has been working on the track. They've strimmed the verges for about 300 metres either side of the Ouse Viaduct, and have left the track covered in even more debris, including chopped up bits of bramble (puncture hazard!). The solar lights are still covered by vegetation encroaching from the verges,  and now also with strimmed debris.

Here are a couple of photos showing the state of the track BEFORE the Council team has worked on it.

And here are some taken AFTER the team has done its not very good work.

Photo below was taken on 18 November, after the maintenance team had cleared away vegetation around the lights. Note that they haven't cut the entire verge back, just a small patch at each light. Most likely the leaves and debris will soon encroach on the lights again.

Cycle track photos - 27 Feb 2013

As already reported, the flood water has at last receded. But the cycle track at the place where the most persistent flood was, is a complete mess. Just look at these photos.

Looking towards Swavesey. This is the cycle track completely covered in debris.

A thin layer of mud everywhere.

Water level in ditch only an inch below track. Mud and twigs on track.

Some workmen were seen this afternoon clearing debris near Fen Drayton, so hopefully this lot will all be cleared away soon.

Flooding - some more pictures

 Water was still lying on the cycle track near Swavesey yesterday ( 9 January) and this photo shows a cyclist carrying his bike along the grassy strip next to the bus track.

Another view of the same spot with an A bus approaching. You can see the tyre tracks climbing the grassy bank where cyclists have had to avoid the water.

At the concrete bridge, the water level has now gone right down and the cycle track is dry, but there are still mounds of debris. The passage of many feet and cycle tyres has created a narrow pathway, clear of debris, through over the bridge.

Debris left by flooding

Here are a few photos I took this morning ( 4 January) to show the dire state of the cycle track between St Ives and Swavesey.

This is the approach to the small concrete bridge from the St Ives direction. Water is still lying on the cycleway, maybe 2-3 inches deep, so it is possible to cycle through, but you are then faced with the thick layer of debris covering the concrete bridge.

Looking back towards St Ives from the concrete bridge, showing both the debris and the flooded section.

A close-up of the debris on the concrete bridge -  about 5-6 inches deep in places.

A short distance east of the concrete bridge is the enormous tree trunk, mentioned by Kevin in a comment to this blog a few days ago, deposited by the flood water. On this photo you can see the tide mark indicating how deep the water was, and how much the level of the cycle track needs to be raised in order to ensure  it can be used all year round.

Near the Fen Drayton bus stop.

And finally, the still-flooded section between Fen Drayton and Swavesey. The tide mark is clearly visible showing that the water has already dropped by about a metre. I did not venture into the water to test the depth.