This page contains information regarding:
- Driving in the city centre
- Location and times of temporary rising bollards
- Contact details for a permit to drive in the city centre
Driving in the city centre
Driving in the city centre takes a while to get used to. If you are unfamiliar with the roads and one-way systems, it is worth getting clear directions and advice from someone local in advance. If you are travelling in peak times, it is also worth considering the excellent public transport links into and within the city — see separate sections on Train, Bus and Coach, and Park and Ride.
Note that students must apply for formal permission from the University before being allowed to bring their cars to Cambridge. Ask your College for help in going about this.
Temporary rising bollards
Temporary rising bollards, installed by the council to control traffic in and out of the centre, are in:
- Bridge Street
- Closed 24 hours a day every day
- Emmanuel Road
- Closed 24 hours a day every day
- King's Parade
- Closed 9am–6pm every day
- Regent Street
- Closed 24 hours a day every day heading towards the city centre. The other carriageway is not restricted
- Silver Street
- Closed both ways midnight to 6am and 10am to 4pm. Open inbound only 6am to 10am. Open outbound only 4pm to midnight
- St John's
- Closed 10am–4pm Monday to Saturday
Permit to drive in the city centre
Registered disabled (Mobility Allowance, higher rate of Disability Living Allowance, War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement, and those with severe mobility disabilities with a letter from the doctor) are eligible for a permit card, which can be used to lower the bollards at St John's Street and enable you to drive in the city centre. Disabled students, even if not permanently resident in Cambridge, and short-term disabled visitors to Cambridge can usually obtain permits.
You can apply by completing the disabled access application form.
Silver Street bollards
The bollards at Silver Street are operated by a transponder permanently attached to your car, and it is much more difficult to obtain a permit to pass through these. If you do think you require this, please contact:
- Contact
- The Traffic Manager's Team
CC1303
Castle Court
Castle Hill
Cambridge
CB3 0AP - Tel.
- 01223 715910
- Address
- ET 1028 Castle Court,
Shire Hall,
Cambridge CB3 0AP - Tel.
- 01223 712 428