‘Terrible traffic’ could get worse with planned 1k new homes, say Cherry Hinton locals

Around 1,200 homes are being built on the edge of a Cambridge suburb

Locals fear traffic already dubbed “terrible” could get worse with the addition of more than 1,000 new homes. Springstead Village will add around 1,200 new homes to Cherry Hinton in Cambridge, alongside a new Waitrose and local centre.

The homes are being built on a 138-acre site that previously belonged to Cambridge Airport. Some people in Cherry Hinton welcome the new homes, but some feel it could affect traffic in the area.

Riju Arya said Cherry Hinton is a “peaceful” place to live and it benefits from “lots of amenities and shops”. But he said the traffic is a problem.

He said: “There is plenty of traffic, especially in the morning. That has already been made worse because of some of the homes that have been built. The amount of homes being built will make it worse.”

Although a Waitrose is due to open in the development area by 2028, Riju doesn’t think the area needs another supermarket.

He added: “We already have Sainsbury’s and Tesco, I don’t think there is a need for another supermarket. Instead they should have built something like another secondary school.”

Shirley Hudson feels there is “definitely a need for more homes” and believes a “lot of people will want to move to Cherry Hinton”. She said: “The infrastructure needs to be sorted and made sure it’s not affected. People moving to Springstead will overrun the services if they aren’t careful.”

Shirley is also concerned about the traffic. She said: “I worry about the traffic a lot. If people are moving to these homes, chances are there is going to be at least one car for each place. That’s going to affect the traffic which is already busy in the mornings.”

Resident Harry, who wished to not include his surname, said the homes will add to the “already awful traffic”. He said: “At peak times it’s so busy when schools are starting. It’s a nightmare.

“The addition of at least 1,000 cars on Cherry Hinton roads is going to be terrible.” Harry does think a supermarket is going to be good for Cherry Hinton as it will “offer more variety” and “bring in more jobs”.

One man, who wished to remain anonymous, is “hopeful” for the development. He said: “We would be hopeful for the houses to be affordable. I just hope enough services will be made available like education, and also education.”

Another resident, who didn’t want to be named, feels the 1,000 homes “won’t be such a good thing” for Cherry Hinton. She added: “One way I see it being a positive is because more homes are needed, especially for younger people. I just don’t know how affordable they will be.

“It’s going to impact the people who live here either way, especially for the traffic. I guess time will tell on the real impact it will have when all of these homes are built.”