Last winter Clay Close Lane was flooded for weeks on end making it impassable to the large number of cyclists, pedestrians and wheel chair users who rely on it as an alternative to the dangerous bends of Burgoynes Road. There is an alternative pedestrian route via Doctors Close but it is difficult for cyclists.

After looking at the application for the new Waterbeach busway and hearing concerns that a large piece of infrastructure like a busway might affect the water table and local flooding I started talking to drainage experts at the county and district councils. This lead me to start pushing for a solution to the Clay Close Lane flooding issues.

We have identified that a number of drainage pipes had become blocked and simply through having a site visit and county officers talking to local residents significant progress has been made. The county council has been able to use and improve their drainage maps to speak to landowners. Two landowners have committed to unblock three drainage pipes and clear drainage channels and Hill, the builders currently working on Clay Close Lane, have cleared the drainage channel where they are working. The drainage officer is certain that this will resolve the historic flooding issues and I am sure we will not see a repeat of the extent and longevity of the flooding we experienced last year any time soon.

This has identified a further issue of the builders on Clay Close Lane operating inconsiderately and for example covering the road surface in mud. This is now on the county and district council’s radar and further action can be taken.

This was the first time that issue had been raised with me. So if there is an issue please do contact your councillors as we do try really hard to get things done.