Cambridgeshire's Roads Get a Community-Led Makeover: Record £1.67M Funding Powers 120 Local Projects

Cambridgeshire communities are set to benefit from a major boost in highway improvements as councillors prepare to review and approve 120 community-driven projects at the Highways and Transport Committee meeting on Tuesday, 14 October.

Thanks to an additional £850,000 secured earlier this year, the Local Highways Improvement (LHI) programme now boasts a record-breaking investment of £1.67 million for the 2025/26 cycle—marking the highest funding level in the initiative's history.

The LHI scheme invites parish councils, town councils, and local groups to submit proposals for small-scale but high-impact transport improvements that typically fall outside the County Council’s standard budget. These grassroots projects often target pressing local issues such as road safety, school access, and sustainable travel options like cycling and walking routes.

Each proposal can receive up to £25,000, with applications assessed based on road type, traffic flow, infrastructure condition, links to active travel networks, and access to essential community services such as schools and care homes.

This year saw an overwhelming response, with 160 applications submitted from all corners of the county, including Huntingdonshire, Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire, East Cambridgeshire, and Fenland. With the increased funding, around 75% of these applications may now receive support—an impressive leap compared to previous years.

Highlights of the Proposed Projects by District:

• East Cambridgeshire (13 projects): New footpaths on Camel Road in Littleport; traffic calming on the A1123 in Haddenham; measures to deter heavy vehicles on Sutton roads near the A142.

• Fenland (19 projects): Footway widening on Doddington Road in Wimblington; speed limit reduction in Wisbech St Mary’s from 60mph to 40mph.

• Huntingdonshire (31 projects): A safe pedestrian crossing at West Street and The Causeway in Godmanchester; raised crossing for schoolchildren on Great North Road in Alconbury; speed cushions on Hollow Lane in Ramsey.

• South Cambridgeshire (33 projects): Footpath and cycle route development on Heath Road in Gamlingay; zebra crossing at The Lanes, Great Wilbraham; footway upgrades on Meldreth High Street.

• Cambridge City (24 projects): Safety upgrades around Queen Edith’s Way schools; anti-social behaviour prevention at Jordan’s Yard; additional yellow lines and signage at key traffic points like Discovery Way and Nuffield Road.

Cllr Robin Wyatt, Vice-Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee, praised the scheme’s impact:

“This record level of investment reflects a real shift in how we approach highway improvements. Our recent Quality of Life survey showed road and pavement satisfaction has climbed from 21% to 28%—progress we aim to build on. The LHI programme gives residents a direct voice in shaping local infrastructure, and we’re excited to see more projects than ever moving forward.”