Civic Society of St Ives - 1978 to 1982
The Bypass
The redirection of the proposed relief road (the bypass) is cited as the Society’s greatest achievement, though it took many years. The County Council had originally proposed a western route crossing Hemingford Meadow, which would have caused significant environmental damage. In 1968 the Civic Society was formed to oppose this, and a Study Group proposed an alternative eastern route using a disused railway line.
.png "St Ives bypass, first turf dug, 1978") |
| Digging the first turf to start construction on the St Ives bypass, 1978. |
The Society successfully lobbied the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, leading to a Public Inquiry in October 1972. It served as the principal objector, presenting detailed evidence through professional consultants and legal counsel. The Inspector eventually recommended the eastern route, a decision confirmed by the Department of the Environment in 1973. Construction of the bypass began in April 1978. County Councillor Mike Hart was invited to dig the first turf with a ceremonial spade, which snapped in two.
.png "Opening of St Ives bypass, 1980") |
| Opening of St Ives bypass, 1980. |
The bypass opened on Thursday, 9 October 1980. It diverted heavy through-traffic from the town centre, greatly improving the local environment. The Cambridge Daily News called it one of the most dramatically effective road schemes in Cambridgeshire. With a three-span bridge across the river and a further twenty-five-span viaduct over the floodplain, the bypass cost £2.5 million. The 11,000 vehicles that had crossed St Ives Bridge each day were diverted to the new road, and the town centre regained a peace not experienced since before 1950.
Other successes
The Society recorded many successes in preserving and improving the St Ives Conservation Area. It saved three seventeenth-century cottages at 4, 5, and 6 Free Church Passage from demolition through “spot listing” by the Department of the Environment. The cottages were later restored and converted into offices, today three cosy apartments.
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| The three cottages in Free Church Lane save by the Civic Society. |
St Ives was selected for a Town Scheme, allowing owners of listed properties to receive grants for repairs. Restorations under the scheme included Wych House and 16 Bridge Street.
The Society funded the planting of whitebeam trees in the North Road car park, reported as flourishing by 1980. It also supported the restoration of The Mews in Bridge Street and the re-roofing of buildings along Merryland.
Talks for members continued on diverse topics, including Cromwell’s head, the Magna Carta (delivered by future Prime Minister John Major), and life in a Fenland village.
Disappointments
Despite its successes, the Society faced persistent challenges and disappointments. The unsightly Crown Street/Crown Yard gap was often cited as a major eyesore that blighted the town’s appearance, and delays in its development and restoration caused ongoing frustration.
The Society also criticized the use of Market Hill for parking, describing it as an eyesore in a historically important area near the Cromwell statue. At one stage the Free Church was even threatened with demolition to make way for a multi-storey car park.
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| Car parking continues to blight the open elegance of Market Hill. |
Litter was noted as a blight on the town, while vandalism, particularly of newly planted trees, was also a concern. Several buildings were considered eyesores, left derelict for years without action from their owners, including a tumbledown empty shop on the Pavement and a fire-damaged bookshop in Merryland.
The footpath to Houghton was also problematic, caught in divided ownership and neglect, with conflicts between walkers, cyclists, and motorbike riders.
Civic Society development
In 1968 the Society’s survival was initially questioned, with some predicting it would last only three to six months. Yet by 1978 it marked its tenth year with members increasing to 343 by 1981.
Humphrey Warren served as founding chairman for ten years until his death in 1978. He was succeeded by Sheila Day, who remained chairman until moving away in 1982. William L. Harrison served as Honorary Secretary throughout this period, while Elsie Scott was long-serving Treasurer until 1981, when Mrs Puxley succeeded her.
.png "Humphrey Warren, Chairman of Civic Society of St Ives, 1978") |
Humphrey Warren.
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Finances
From 1978 to 1982, the Society maintained a modest but stable financial position. The annual subscription remained 50p for the first eleven years, rising to £1.00 in 1979/80 to ensure solvency. Despite this increase, membership continued to grow. Annual income usually exceeded expenditure, enabling the Society to build a reserve and make charitable donations.
In 1978, year-end assets stood at £377.53, rising to £536.73 by 1981. Notable contributions included £100 to the Free Church Building Fund in memory of Humphrey Warren and up to £150 for trees in the North Road car park.
Photographs of the turf digging and opening ceremony are from Bob Burn-Murdoch's Twentieth Century St Ives.
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