Cycle wands on Cambridge’s East Road have been flattened, sparking debate among readers who suggest emergency vehicles could be to blame for the damage to the controversial traffic schemeDavid Prince and Cambridgeshire Live readers06:00, 20 Jun 2026Flattened cycle wands on East Road in Cambridge(Image: Cait Findlay – CambridgeshireLive)Readers of Cambridgeshire Live have been sharing their thoughts after cycle wands on a busy Cambridge road were flattened. Images showed several of the wands on East Road were lying completely flat.Residents expressed varying opinions on what caused the damage and what action should be taken. Many attributed it to emergency vehicles, while others demanded the posts be removed entirely. Some argued the scheme was simply worsening traffic congestion.A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire County Council confirmed the authority was aware of the flattened cycle wands. They said officers will inspect the site to assess the damage and replace the wands.A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the cycle wands on East Road which have been flattened. One of our officers will visit the area to review the damage and replace the wands as required.”One reader, Wachoooo suggests: “They’re flattened by emergency vehicles driving over them constantly, as it’s the fastest way to get through traffic.”Danieal writes: “Just remove them and put the road back to the way it was and was designed to be. We all know the barriers were only put in place to hold up traffic and create bottlenecks.”Calumen Nomen says: “Is that the end of the ‘trial’ then? When is it going to dawn on these people that we are never going to get back on buses and bikes – why should we? What’s their next plan – back to black and white tele for the plebs because it ‘saves carbon emissions’?”Banallbikes feels: “It’s proof that they are in the way of vehicles and serve no purpose, so they should be removed.”Over on our Facebook page, Szilák I comments: “It used to be 2 lanes and worked fine.”Sootys S says: “Cycle wands were put up to increase traffic queues, to justify introducing congestion charges, rather than for cycle safety.”Otto B writes: “Probably to let emergency vehicles through, cyclists and buses don’t use their lanes anyway.”Jonny S agrees: “Yes, flattened predominantly by Fire Engines because they have to use the cycle lane to bypass the massive backlog of traffic caused by making East Road a single lane. Because making a massive traffic choke point right next to the police and fire stations is clearly a great idea.”Should the trial of the cycle wand end now? Comment below or HERE to have your say.
Cambridge cycle wands flattened as locals say it’s ‘proof they are in the way’
