Cambridgeshire roads that flood regularly could see £250k boost to become 'more resilient'

The council will discuss flooded roads (Image: Surrey Live / Darren Pepe)

One of the roads flooded four times last year, with floodwater damaging the surface and leaving it in need of repair.

Cambridgeshire roads affected by regular flooding could see a £250,000 boost for new measures. Cambridgeshire County Council members will discuss flooding at Mill Lane, Little Paxton and other key roads affected by flooding at the Highways and Transport Committee on Tuesday (March 4).

A motion was agreed at full council last year for the Highways and Transport Committee to assess whether an options appraisal for Mill Lane is good value for money, and if other areas could benefit. A council spokesperson said that Mill Lane in Little Paxton forms an important link between St Neots, Little Paxton, and the A1 trunk road in Huntingdonshire, with two bridges over the River Great Ouse.

It explained: "High rainfall in 2024 led to the road being closed due to flooding on four occasions. These closures were lengthened by the damage to the road surface caused by fast-moving floodwater.

"In October 2024, the road was repaired and strengthened at a cost of approximately £15,000. Councillors will hear how the council works closely with flood groups, including the chair of the St Neots Flood Action Group.

"They have already carried out considerable research into the historic drainage of the area surrounding Mill Lane. Officers from the Flood Risk team met them on site in January along with officers from the Environment Agency.

"The chair of the Flood Group has identified some small scale works that could be completed to reduce the frequency and duration of flooding of Mill Lane and these are subject to further investigation."

Work to investigate and address flooding across Cambridgeshire more widely is already underway. St Neots is included within this project, which could inform any options taken forward at Mill Lane.

The Environment Agency is also undertaking a ‘Great Ouse Strategic Intervention Study’ to better understand the current and future flood risk from river and surface water sources across the Great Ouse Catchment.

Councillors will also hear that a programme to upgrade electronic flood signage is underway. The first place to receive them is Little Paxton, and new signs are also planned for Earith and Welney Wash, in conjunction with Norfolk County Council, expected to be installed by June.

The spokesperson continued: "The committee will be asked to note the ongoing measures being undertaken in relation to flooding, and whilst the paper recommends that the Mill Lane options appraisal does not represent best value for money, councillors will be asked to note an allocation of £250k to support alternative measures is included in the proposed highways capital maintenance programme.