Cambridge’s Adams Road will be transformed into “England’s first official cycle street” to give cyclists and pedestrians priority over cars.

The plans involve removing on-street parking, wider footpaths for pedestrians, and raised crossings. “Rain gardens” will be planted along the sides of the road to improve rainwater drainage and biodiversity.

Adams Road is already one of the busiest cycle routes in Cambridge. It is used by over 3000 cyclists daily for journeys between the city centre and West Cambridge, home to the West Hub and University Sports Centre.

Construction of the cycle street is expected to last approximately 30 weeks, with daytime closures starting next week (13/10).

Afterwards, motor vehicles will still be able to access the road, but must give way to cyclists. By removing on-road parking, the project aims to prevent blind spots for vehicles leaving driveways. The change is also designed to reduce the risk of car doors opening into the path of oncoming cyclists.

Greater Cambridge Partnership (CGP) – the local delivery group coordinating a £1 billion investment in the city by the central government – is overseeing the development.

Brian Milnes, a Liberal Democrat councillor and chair of the GCP, said that despite the temporary disruption, the construction would make “everyday journeys safer and easier for everyone”.

“We’ve heard too many stories of cyclists being knocked off their bikes and car doors suddenly opening into their path,” he added. “That shouldn’t be the reality on one of Cambridge’s busiest cycling routes.”

Anna Williams works for Camcycle, which campaigns to make Cambridge more accessible to cyclists. She said of the plans: “We’re pleased to see work starting and hope this is just the first of many.”

One Cambridge student reacted to the news by saying: “I think this is great for keeping cyclists safe. I’ve often felt unsafe while going up Adams Road, especially in the winter. I’m concerned about the disruption, but in the long-run I think people will be grateful for it”.

The GCP was established in 2014 and is one of the UK’s largest city deals. This project forms part of its Comberton Greenway Initiative, one of twelve new greenways that will connect Cambridge with nearby villages.

Greenways are designed to encourage greener, safer and more accessible travel by developing appropriate walking and cycling routes on quiet paths and busier roads.

The reaction to the cycle street among Cambridge locals has generally been positive. Resident Dan Strauss claimed that “change is so needed … hundreds of parked cars are creating blind spots for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists”.

Some residents likened the project to existing schemes that facilitate cycling in parts of mainland Europe. However, others expressed concerns about whether the development would do anything to stop cyclists speeding, and questioned whether it only suited a “vocal minority”.