Ros Hathorn, 76 Cambridge Road, Impington, Cambridge CB24 9NU Ros.Hathorn@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Tel: 07548 745197

CONTENTS: Flooding in Histon, Budget deficit, Orchard Park Pavements, Ring Fort Road Path Orchard Park, Signage left in cycle path over A14 southbound

Flooding in Histon Storm Babet hit on 18 October and brought with it significant amounts of flooding.  Flooding was experienced across the county but some of the worst flooding was in Histon.  I ensured the emergency highways team were appraised of the situation throughout the Friday/ Saturday/ Sunday period and repeatedly called for more resources and improvements to the road closure.   The Road closure was widely ignored this lead to particular issues for the residents as whilst the flood water was high it was the waves coming from the traffic driving through the floods which was causing the most serious issues for the residents so please if there is road block signage take it seriously.  You might be able to get through but there will be a reason for the road block.

It is not entirely clear what the cause of the flooding was but tree roots blocking drainage channels along Glebe Way and Cottenham Road have since been removed.   I have yet to receive a report I am happy with on this matter and am pursuing the issue with officers.

Budget deficit the County Council has a black hole of £23 million for the next financial year significant contributory factors are the adult social care costs, costs of looked after children and ongoing inflationary pressures.  At the budget planning session we heard of the County Council’s joy to have reduced the cost of 2 children whose care was coming in at around £80,000 a week each to half of that with a strategy to reduce it to around £10,000 a week.   This is a phenomenal amount of money but there are complex reasons as to why it was unavoidable initially.  

If Cambridgeshire received the commensurate financial uplift in it’s settlement from government to compensate for it’s population growth that would cover the deficit.   It’s also worth noting that officers have calculated that to get highways back to the maintenance state they would like to see (well maintained highways, footpaths and cycleways, gullies not blocked etc) would cost an additional £31m over and above the annual budget of around £30m.

Orchard Park pavements I had a long and somewhat depressing walk about with our Local Highways Officer in Orchard Park.  What this demonstrated was that some of the design decisions made at planning stage in Orchard Park have been brilliant with footpaths and roads still in excellent condition nearly 20 years later but some design decisions have not stood the test of time.  Some tree species planted in ‘the wrong place’ have caused significant damage.  Maintenance work to manage to the issue will be unsightly as tidying up block paving with black tarmac is never ideal.  London Plane trees have caused particular havoc and so have some other species.  There isn’t enough money to rectify anything other than the most urgent issues in one go so discussing the situation thoughtfully and identifying how Orchard Park moves forward as a community is critical.

Ring Fort Road Path Orchard Park There is a possibility of things collapsing if the costs have risen too far (although there is £90,000 contingency about 33% of total budget) and final contracts have not yet been signed but a meeting with the Community Council clerk, the project officer at the County Council and myself lead us to learn that the planned date for works for this path was January 2024.  The path will create a set of steps from behind the recreation ground to the A14 roundabout.

Signage left in cycle path over A14 southbound  I have run into this on my bike, I’m sure countless residents have run into this but my son coming back with a cut hand due to a collision with one of the metal frames rendered almost invisible at night lead me to contact Streetworks about road signage left on the cycle path.  This is apparently National Highways signage.  There is a lot of space for this signage to be stored elsewhere and it will be moved but if people are frustrated by this type of issue please do get in touch and I will happily forward complaints. 

INFORMATION

Report a Highways fault If you see a problem; blocked gully/ drain, pot hole or other Highways issue please report it using the tool below. https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/roadworks-and-faults

Adult care assessment Call centre: 0345 045 5202  8am – 6pm Mon to Fri,  9am – 1pm Sat https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/adults/organising-care-and-support/care-needs-assessment Do get in touch with me directly if you have any problems, questions or concerns.

I’ve got a problem who do I contact? Organisational structure in Cambridgeshire is complicated, just ask the question.  Email me, a District Councillor or the Parish Clerk we’ll all point you to the right person (or try to).

Climate Emergency the county council wants to hear your thoughts.  What are your ideas?  What have you done?  What projects could do with some help?  The County Council really wants to hear your ideas email climate@cambridgeshire.gov.uk .

Government Structure in Cambridgeshire  detailing responsibilities

County Council; education, transport, highways, heritage, social care, libraries, trading standards, ­waste management, maintaining their estate.

District Council; council tax payments, household bin collections, housing and housing benefits, council leisure facilities, environmental health, residential planning, local emergency, community policing contact point.

Parish/ Community Council; looking after community buildings, open spaces, allotments, play areas, bus shelters, community projects.

Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) ‘The local delivery body for a City Deal with central Government worth up to £500 million over 15 years to deliver infrastructure (decarbonising transport), 44,000 new jobs, 33,500 new homes and 420 additional apprenticeships.’ Partnership between Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, University of Cambridge

The Combined Authority, Cambridge and Peterborough, our elected Mayor (CPCA)  A board consisting of representatives from the District, City and County Councils and Peterborough Unitary Authority, headed by the Mayor.   Responsible for – Business support, skills, housing, transport strategy-liaising with Department of Transport, environment, international, digital connectivity, resilience, research and strategy and new homes.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Cambridge and Peterborough To support and challenge the Chief Constable to provide effective and efficient policing services for the area.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority the governing body responsible for the fire and rescue service, made up of County Councillors and Peterborough City Councillors.