Imagine a creaking sound. A cracking noise fills the air. This isn’t some old house. It is the Tony Carter Bridge. It is also known as the railway cycle bridge. It stands as a testament to Cambridge’s commitment to cycling.
The Tony Carter Bridge links Rustat Road to Devonshire Road. It crosses the railway line near Cambridge station’s north end. Opened in 1989, it once held a Guinness World Record. It was once the longest covered cycle bridge.
But let’s rewind to a Friday morning. A Jaguar found itself on the bridge. A missing bollard on Rustat Road allowed the driver’s mistake. A man in his 50s drove onto the bridge. He slowly reversed back. The whole episode took about 20 to 30 minutes. Cyclist Ruth Platt witnessed it. She shared pictures with Cambridge News.
“There were a lot of cyclists giving him a hard time” she said. “He didn’t hurt anybody. It was a genuine mistake.” Mrs. Platt initially passed the car. She returned to ask if the driver needed help. He admitted to making a “terrible mistake”. As he reversed, creaking and cracking sounds arose. Mrs. Platt hoped the bridge was strong enough. A car is heavier than many bikes.
The driver moved slowly. He ensured no one was at risk. “I just felt really bad for him” she recalled. “He was not being arrogant. He was not thinking he could just take a shortcut. He really had made a big mistake.”
Councillor Gail Marchant-Daisley called for structural checks. She emphasized the potential for a fatal accident. The incident highlights the bridge’s vulnerability.
The Tony Carter Bridge is more than just a structure. It is a symbol of Cambridge’s cycling culture. It is a reminder of an era when safety improvements meant removing cyclists from roads. The bridge, despite its imperfections, remains a valuable asset. It serves as a reminder of past debates. It embodies the city’s ongoing efforts. These efforts aim to balance transport needs.