What are the most dangerous roads in Huntingdonshire?

For the second part of our special report investigating road safety, The Hunts Post asked residents and cycling groups to name some of the worst cycle routes, paths and roads in the district. 

It follows an emotional appeal from the family of popular road safety champion Mike Gough for safety improvements to be made to Huntingdonshire's cycling and road infrastructure.

Mike, 65, from Rodney Road in Huntingdon, was killed when his bicycle was struck by a van on George Street on March 16.

Mike Gough was killed when his bicycle was struck by a van on George Street on March 16. (Image: Hazel Gough)

The driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and released on police bail until 16 June.

A number of readers have claimed active travel is unsafe in the district. 

John Morris, chair of the Hunts Walking and Cycling Group said: "The number of people being killed or injured on our roads each year in Huntingdonshire is nothing short of shocking.

"Too many people are affected by the grief and trauma of a road death, serous injury or life changing injury collisions."

Many sent us examples, with some suggesting that roads are too dangerous for cyclists forcing them onto pavements and paths, making them unsafe for pedestrians. 

Josh Grantham, infrastructure campaigner at CamCycle, added: "The existing situation across Huntingdonshire is very poor.

"There is hardly any active travel infrastructure that meets national standards, and when there is some level of infrastructure, it is rarely connected into a coherent network.

"This makes journeys unsafe for those who continue to try and cycle and deters many from making the journey sustainably in the first place."

Below are some of the worst roads and paths according to readers in the district.

Huntingdon Ring Road

Huntingdon Ring Road has been identified by readers as particularly dangerous following the death of cyclist Celia Ward.

The shared-use path used by Celia was only 2.4 metres wide, 0.6 metres smaller than the minimum required for cycle/pedestrian paths. 

According to Collision Data published by Department for Transport, around 92 serious or slight road traffic incidents occurred in Huntingdon between 2017-21.

Huntingdon Ring Road has been highlighted as unsafe with cars forcing cyclists onto the road (L) and paths too narrow for pedestrians and cyclists to use (R). (Image: John Morris)

Forty-five per cent of the 92 casualties were cyclists or pedestrians.

The family of Mike Gough cited the Huntingdon Ring Road as an example of Huntingdonshire infrastructure that requires safety improvements.

St Peter's Road - Huntingdon

Members of the Hunts Walking and Cycling Group highlighted St Peter's Road in Huntingdon as a stretch of road that forces cyclists to abruptly very onto a busy road. 

The cycle path on St Peter's Road, near Tesco in Huntingdon, abruptly ends onto the busy road. (Image: John Morris)

One reader described it as a "brilliant example of shockingly dangerous cycling infrastructure" in the district. 

A1123 Huntingdon Road

The absence of safe cycle routes heading towards St Ives from Huntingdon has been highlighted by readers on the A1123. 

Residents even launched a petition in 2020 calling for a "joined up cycle network between Huntingdon and St Ives."

The cycle path on the A1123 Huntingdon Road abruptly ends opposite Dobbies Garden Centre. (Image: John Morris)

A member of the Hunts Walking and Cycling Group said the cycle path "abruptly ends" near Dobbies Garden Centre, "dumping cyclists into a dangerous road with fast moving traffic". 

In February, a cyclist was left "fighting for her life" and later died after being involved in a collision with a lorry on the stretch of road near Wyton. 

Hilton Road - Fenstanton

One reader described the route between Hilton and Fenstanton as one of the "most unsafe routes" in his area. 

The cycle path on Hilton Road abruptly ends, forcing users onto a busy country lane. (Image: Google)

He said: "When the bridges were built over the A14, wide cycle lanes were installed alongside them, but at the end of the bridge embankments the cycle lanes end.

"Cyclists and pedestrians then have to walk on the road, which happens to be a narrow national speed limit 60mph road with blind bends and potholes. 

Did we miss any dangerous paths and cycle routes? What needs to be done to make Huntingdonshire safer for road users? Let us know by emailing oliver.murphy@newsquest.co.uk 

RECOMMENDED READING: Family of Huntingdon crash victim issue emotional road safety plea