This is an overview of all the activity that is going on behind the scenes in the Highways department of the council based on a report from officers. I have taken out some, but not all, the non-Queen Edith’s items just to give you an idea on what is happening across the county.
New, modern, road issue reporting and management system – called Aurora
The system is now live and will improve how road issues are reported, tracked and fixed. It links officers, contractors and residents with member dashboards coming in the new year.
Highways Maintenance and Management Restructure
Highways management has been restructured and puts more people on the ground to respond to local needs and planning long-term maintenance.
Winter Readiness
The Council is prepared for the changing season to respond to demand as we head into Winter, further information can be found here. Cambridgeshire gears up to keep residents safe and moving this winter | Cambridgeshire County Council
Busway Safety Measures
The Council has reduced the speed limit along the whole Guided Busway to 30mph along the busway, 20mph at crossing points and 15mph speed limit on the maintenance track, the path which runs alongside the busway. Motorcycles will also be banned from the maintenance track and electric bikes that exceed 15mph will no longer be allowed.
In addition, separation fencing is being installed between the maintenance track and the busway across the whole Guided Busway. Separately, perimeter fencing is being installed at identified informal crossing points. These informal crossing points are being reviewed together with councillors.
Further information and FAQs are available on the website: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/public-transport-park-and-ride-and-guided-busway/guided-busway-improvements
SERVICE UPDATES
Roadside sign upgrades
Electronic message and flood warning signs are being replaced with clearer, low-carbon LED versions and better flood sensors.
Parking System upgrade
MiPermit is now live, offering quicker, paper-free purchasing of parking permits.
Street Works resources
Given the increase in major disruptive works, additional Inspectors have been appointed to keep contractors and the public safe and to reduce congestion and hold work sponsors to account.
Infrastructure and Project Delivery
Local Improvements
20mph projects
From the 20mph programme: there remains 11 of the previously awarded 28 projects
progressing towards delivery. The next projects planned to be delivered are outside Queen Edith’s in Linton, Hilton, Stow-cum-Quy and Steeple Morden.
The dates for applying to the 2026/2027 20mph initiative funding round are:
• The application window opens from Monday 26th January 2026.
• The application window closes at 5pm Friday 27th March 2026
Further information can be found on the County Council website pages: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/improving-the-local-highway/20mph-funding
Local Highway Improvements
The LHI Programme has 14 projects being arranged for delivery currently. These comprise of the remaining complex and non-complex projects from both the 2023/2024
and 2024/2025 funding rounds. There were 120 projects awarded LHI funding from the 2025/2026 round. All these applicants have now been contacted to begin works on the programme. Similar to last year, there are efforts to deliver those simpler projects first, such as the mobile vehicle activated signs through the bulk ordering of materials.
The dates for applying to the 2026/2027 funding round are as follows:
• The application window opens from Monday 10th November 2025.
• The application window closes at 5pm Friday 16th January 2026.
Further information can be accessed on the LHI funding county council website pages: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/improving-the-local-highway/local-highway-improvement-funding
Transport Projects
We have commenced delivery of the St Ives A1123 shared-use path improvement scheme, which is progressing well.
The Oxford Rd Windsor Rd consultation is nearing closure and as a result we will progress with the current design which retains the barrier but provides other adjacent improvements.
Opposition and land issues continue to prevent progression of certain schemes in the programme including Dry Drayton, Ely Merivale Way, Waterbeach Lode and Elton A605 underpass.
Further programme information can be found here:
Capital Maintenance Delivery
We have now reached the period in the year where the more complex capital maintenance projects are starting to commence on site. This follows on from the planning and design phases completed through Q1 & 2 of this financial year. The programme is on track to spend as forecast in year, some projects have had to be moved into Q1 2026/27 due to other work on the network.
A significant amount of work has already been completed across the preventative treatments programmes for carriageways and footways.
Carriageways
Our preventative treatments programme (surface dressing & micro asphalt) is now largely complete countywide, with preparation work for 26/27 schemes now underway.
Footways
Seven schemes now complete and a further two are on site / mobilising at Woodfen Road and Rogers Close, Littleport. A rolling programme for delivery is in place up to financial year end.
Our preventative treatments programme (slurry seal) is now complete countywide, with preparation work for 26/27 schemes commencing in March 2026.
Drainage
Five schemes have been completed. Fen Road, Parson Drove and Oundle Road, Chesterton delivery continues. A rolling programme for investigation, design and. delivery is in place up to financial year end. Further information can be found here – Capital maintenance programme Cambridgeshire County Council. Leaflets have recently been distributed to member group rooms and libraries which share information and links for communities to find out more about the 25/26 programme.
New Highway Asset Management Strategy
The team is currently developing a revised Council’s Asset Management Strategy which will be presented to committee when fully drafted. The strategy is proposed to be made up of three documents, a Highway Asset Management Strategy (HAMS), a Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP), and a Highway Asset Data Strategy (HADS).
These documents will set out the approach to managing and maintaining each highway asset to secure best value, safety and asset longevity.
Capital Maintenance Programme 2026/27
Work has also commenced on developing the capital maintenance programme for 2026/27. This involves identifying potential projects and then prioritising them via an agreed scoring process to determine which schemes will be funded. Last year, over 6000 individual potential carriageway maintenance projects were identified before then being reviewed and progressed by the team. Councillors and parishes will shortly be contacted to help develop next year’s programme.
Highway Records and Definitive Mapping
We have commenced delivery of a programme of over 30 legal orders and agreements that are required to regularise the public rights of way constructed by the A14 scheme. This work is funded by a commuted sum provided by National Highways, and when complete will help to improve public knowledge of the many kilometres of new leisure and active travel routes that are now available as a result of the scheme.
We have also worked with colleagues to bring forward a scheme to improve accessibility on the Views Common underpass in Huntingdon, providing an enhanced active travel link between the town centre and Hinchingbrooke school and hospital. It is hoped the scheme will be delivered during school holidays to minimise the impact on users. This work is also funded by a commuted sum from National Highways. We continue to work with Network Rail on the Anglia Level Crossing Reduction Programme. This sees the closure of several minor level crossings that are deemed unsafe by Network Rail, and provision of diversions for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Four diversion sites have been implemented and approved this year, with more to follow in 2026.
Complex Infrastructure & Specialist Projects
The Complex Infrastructure team is managing the installation of the separation fencing on the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway. Work is ongoing to install the first section of fencing between Long Road Bridge and the Addenbrookes Spur. A phasing plan is being developed for the rest of the fencing installation. The work at the Southern section will extend into Spring 2026.
Other projects include:
- Construction of an upgraded non-motorised user route between Soham and Wicken
- Remedial work on the King’s Dyke embankment
Highways Maintenance & Management
Soil Affected Roads (generally in the Fens)
There has been noticeable deterioration of soil affected roads on our network over the Summer/Autumn. Several locations have required intervention with temporary traffic signals where localised significant subsidence has occurred. Those locations where a capital scheme is not planned this year, then patching intervention is taking place in the interim so the temporary traffic lights can be removed. Sites like the B1050 Earith to Shelford the speed limit has been further reduced from 40mph to 30mph and safety inspection frequency increased as well as planned localised patching.
Structures Team
The service has completed a number of capital improvement schemes across the county including continued works currently being undertaken on the de-trunked A14 (now A1307) to replace the defective Vehicle Restraint System (VRS).
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