{"id":325,"date":"2026-07-08T21:45:43","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T20:45:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/?p=325"},"modified":"2026-07-08T21:45:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T20:45:43","slug":"county-council-and-gcp-report-july-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/?p=325","title":{"rendered":"COUNTY COUNCIL and GCP REPORT JULY 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In this report:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Makeup of Full Council following by-election<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Local Government Reorganisation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Children and Young people<\/strong> &#8211; Holiday activities and food<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>COSMIC<\/strong> \u2013 Armed Forces Covenant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New ways of tackling poverty<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital support for unpaid carers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Environment and Green Investment<\/strong> &#8211; Minerals and Waste local plan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kingsway solar farm application withdrawn<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Highways and Transport<\/strong> &#8211; Highways contract renegotiated<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Busway safety<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Local Highways Improvement bids<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bus services at risk<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Junior Travel Ambassadors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Greater Cambridge Partnership<\/strong> &#8211; Transport<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>GCP Corridor schemes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FULL COUNCIL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reform UK narrowly held the Roman Bank and Peckover county council seat on Thursday 25 June. A by-election for the Ramsey and Bury seat will take place on Thursday 16 July. The council\u2019s current composition is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Liberal Democrat and Independent 33<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conservative 10<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reform UK 8<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Labour 5<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Green 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Non-aligned Independent 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vacancy 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next meeting of the full county council is on Tuesday 14 July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Local authorities in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have been expecting the Government to announce its proposed new council boundaries before parliamentary business ends for the summer on Friday 17 July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However with Essex, Hampshire and Norfolk all initiating legal challenges to the Government\u2019s proposals in their area, and with a change of Prime Minister imminent, it\u2019s less clear that an announcement for Cambridgeshire will be made in that timescale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CHILDREN &amp; YOUNG PEOPLE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Holiday activities and food<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme returns this summer, with holiday scheme places and nutritious meals for eligible school-aged children across Cambridgeshire from 21 July to 28 August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Coordinated by Cambridgeshire County Council on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE), Holiday Activities and Food provides primary and secondary aged children with access to healthy food, fun activities and enriching experiences throughout the school holidays. Government funding for the programme is confirmed until December 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More than 130 schemes are expected to run across the county, offering over 2,500 places for children. Activities will range from sports, outdoor adventure and play-based schemes to drama, technology, creative arts and youth-focused programmes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As part of the summer programme, eligible children will benefit from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A wide choice of schemes tailored to different interests and age groups<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fun, enriching experiences designed to support skill-building and boost confidence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At least one nutritious meal each day, along with healthy snacks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Daily physical activity through active play and sports<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A safe, supportive environment delivered by approved local providers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk\/council\/communities\/support-with-the-cost-of-living\/holiday-activities-and-food-programme\">https:\/\/www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk\/council\/communities\/support-with-the-cost-of-living\/holiday-activities-and-food-programme<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">COMMUNITIES, SOCIAL MOBILITY AND INCLUSION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Armed Forces Covenant<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The county council\u2019s Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion Committee has agreed to formally sign the Armed Forces Covenant, bolstering the support provided through the 2011 Armed Forces Community Covenant, and making a public declaration of support for and commitment to the Armed Forces community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While signing the Armed Forces Covenant is voluntary, national legislation has significantly strengthened the Covenant in recent years. The Armed Forces Act 2021 requires local authorities to give due regard to Covenant principles in housing, healthcare, and education. The Armed Forces Bill 2026 will extend these duties further, ensuring more consistent support across public services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cambridgeshire County Council has developed a comprehensive Armed Forces Covenant Action Plan listing practical commitments and ensuring that serving personnel, veterans and their families receive consistent help whenever they interact with the council, and that their needs are considered in future policies and projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The council will provide dedicated space in libraries for sharing information and making resources such as the Forces Connect app more widely available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Libraries will also play a practical role in supporting veterans and their families, including helping with applications for veterans\u2019 badges, offering space for Armed Forces community groups and events, and ensuring staff are trained to better understand the needs of the Armed Forces community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>New ways of tackling poverty<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Members of the council\u2019s Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion Committee have unanimously agreed a number of new anti-poverty initiatives using the Government\u2019s multi-year Crisis and Resilience Fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cambridgeshire County Council is receiving a share of this fund, which replaces the Household Support Fund. The funding received by the County Council is required to be allocated to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>support to those experiencing financial shock<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>support that improves residents\u2019 financial resilience<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>activities that connect and enhance local support, such as community food projects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Councillors have agreed to use the fund to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>procure a new crisis payment scheme, worth \u00a3400,000 this year and \u00a31m in each of the two following years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>award \u00a3800,000 to Citizens Advice to continue to deliver an Income Maximisation service across Cambridgeshire until 2029<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>award \u00a31.5m over three years to fund an advice outreach service for residents who are isolated rurally or digitally, or otherwise unable to access mainstream support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The income maximisation service delivered by Citizens Advice has so far supported 3,182 residents gaining a combined \u00a33.7m in additional income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Further income maximisation work will be provided through LIFT, the Low-Income Family Tracker which will also be funded through the CRF. LIFT has already been used very successfully in South Cambridgeshire and will help identify residents who may be missing out on support they are eligible for, such as Pension Credit, Healthy Start vouchers, Free School Meals or heating-oil support, and encourage them to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Much of Cambridgeshire\u2019s share of the former Household Support Fund was used to fund holiday food vouchers for families entitled to free school meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Government\u2019s new Crisis and Resilience Fund cannot be used in this way. However, families previously in receipt of holiday food vouchers will be prioritised for identification by LIFT and receive a targeted offer of personalized support. Families will also be encouraged to access the Holiday Activities and Food programme described earlier in this report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Families eligible but not currently registered for Free School Meals will also be prioritised, as will low-income families with younger children not registered for Healthy Start vouchers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Digital support for unpaid carers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the 2021 Census 52,236 people in Cambridgeshire are caring for a family member, friend or neighbour who is ill, older, or disabled. Caring responsibilities can impact on people\u2019s health, finances, and employment opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bridgit is an AI-enabled digital support platform developed in partnership with Caring Together Charity, which supports carers on behalf of the County Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It provides a one-stop, 24\/7, digital hub offering personalised advice on wellbeing, employment, finance, care options, and local support services. Since its launch in 2024, Bridgit has been accessed by more than 9,000 carers, generating over 13,000 personalised self-help plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bridgit tailors its guidance to individual users and uses targeted social media outreach to help identify \u2018hidden carers\u2019 people who do not recognize themselves as carers and may not realise that support is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Work is now under way to develop Bridgit Gen 2, which offers a more interactive, real-time coaching experience accessible via the web, mobile, and WhatsApp. This will allow carers to receive personalised guidance at any time of day, helping them navigate the challenges of caring alongside work, family life, and their own wellbeing. The updated platform will be available later this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The council is also refreshing its All-Age Carers Strategy (2026\u20132028) to reflect rising demand and the changing needs of carers. This work has been informed by extensive consultation, ensuring that carers\u2019 voices, feedback, and what matters most to them are at the heart of the strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The updated strategy will focus on earlier identification of carers, improved access to support, better support for young carers and parent carers, strengthened mental health and wellbeing support, and closer partnership working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ENVIRONMENT AND GREEN INVESTMENT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Minerals and Waste local plan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The County Council has agreed to start the process of updating its Minerals and Waste Local Plan, which it does every five years. The content of the plan is intended to address the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The planning policy context in which the new Plan will be prepared and introduces the national decision-making policies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How sustainable development and climate change adaption and mitigation will be embedded into the new Plan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The vision and outcomes of the Plan, including objectives and aims.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How much development is required and where it should be located.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Additional policies that build on the national decision-making policies and address local issues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Where site profiles for future allocations will be included in the new Plan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Master Plans for large scale minerals and waste development and its restoration, presently this is only the Block Fen \/ Langwood Fen Master Plan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Design guides that shape how waste and minerals developments are designed, and how other development should accommodate waste management within their design (for example, space for bins).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The indicators that will be used to monitor the Plan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consultation on this stage of the plan will open on 3 August and close on 10 October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Kingsway solar farm application withdrawn<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Promoters of the Kingsway solar scheme have withdrawn their application for this large solar farm near Balsham, West Wratting, Weston Colville, Willingham Green, Carlton, Brinkley and Six Mile Bottom connected to Burwell substation. This is assumed to be a temporary withdrawal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">HIGHWAYS &amp; TRANSPORT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Highways contract renegotiated<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The council has agreed an extension of its road maintenance contract with M Group, which will provide better value for taxpayers and stability during Local Government Reorganisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The council\u2019s contract with M Group, which was due to end in June 2027, will be extended until June 2030. As part of the extension a number of enhancements to the contract have been jointly agreed between the council and M Group, prioritising improved value for money and quality control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new contract extension will come into effect in July this year, with agreed improvements in the delivery of road maintenance services to be rolled out over the course of the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In July 2025, the Government advised that authorities going through Local Government Reorganisation should ensure that their decisions do not negatively impact the sustainability of successor authorities or limit the ability of those future councils to deliver on their priorities, within their budgets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This short-term extension will enable the future councils to procure their own road maintenance contract, rather than tying them into a long-term contract. The collaboratively agreed enhancements secure an improved deal for Cambridgeshire\u2019s taxpayers a year ahead of when the current contract was due to expire, and include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>introduction of fixed costs for regular maintenance activities to secure better value for money and improved accuracy for budgeting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a revised quality control regime that incentivises delivery of work on time and meeting standards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>direct penalties for failure to deliver to the required quality and time standards (in addition to remediation of work)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>tracking of all road maintenance vehicles to enable monitoring of their whereabouts and outputs to ensure we are getting an efficient service.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Busway safety<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Significant progress has been made to deliver essential safety improvements along the length of the Guided Busway over the last year, with installation of safety fencing to the southern part of the Busway almost complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To the north of Cambridge, works are taking place between Cambridge Regional College and Milton Road. After this section has been completed, contractors will continue the installation of separation fencing between Milton Road and Cambridge North station. Procurement for works along the route from Histon to St Ives is expected in summer 2026, with construction due from late summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Guided Busway, which runs between St Ives and Cambridge, is an important part of Cambridgeshire\u2019s transport network linking people with major employment hubs, healthcare facilities and education providers. The adjacent path is a well-used active travel route popular with walkers, wheelers, cyclists and horse riders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Highways and Transport Committee is being asked to endorse the continued delivery of the safety works on the northern section of the busway, to ensure the continuing use of the innovative transport route and ongoing compliance with health and safety legislation. To ensure these essential safety works are completed as quickly as possible, the \u00a36m cost is being met from Major Infrastructure Reserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The programme of safety improvements being delivered includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Installation of separation fencing along the route to create a physical barrier between the path and the Busway<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One new and three upgraded formal crossing points, with \u00a32m allocated to improve accessibility for all users following the installation of perimeter fencing to stop the use of informal cut-throughs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flood mitigation measures to ensure walkers and wheelers can safely use the path during and after periods of heavy rain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enhanced signage, lighting and speed controls, including reduced bus speeds and a 15mph limit on the path<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Temporary speed limits of 30mph will be reviewed as new safety infrastructure is completed. On the northern section, variable speeds of up to 40\u201350mph may be introduced where appropriate, improving journey times while maintaining safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The council has also strengthened busway governance and oversight with regular risk assessments and reports to senior officers. Engagement continues with the Health and Safety Executive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Local Highways Improvement bids<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Cambridge City Local Highways Improvement panel meets on Wednesday 30 July to consider and score the \u2018complex\u2019 bids submitted by county councillors in the City of Cambridge. &nbsp;Queen Edith\u2019s has made 5 bids, the maximum allowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bus services at risk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An independent review for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority warns that bus networks across the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area could see severe cuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Driven by a funding shortfall and Mayor Paul Bristow\u2019s announcement that he will not increase his mayoral precept, the report projects a ten per cent network cut by 2029 and a nineteen per cent reduction by 2035, with nearly thirty-eight per cent of services at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Junior Travel Ambassadors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over eighty Junior Travel Ambassadors from across Cambridgeshire gathered at an event recently to celebrate their achievements, promoting road safety and active travel in their school communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Junior Travel Ambassadors are encouraged to make decisions about what they think is needed to improve road safety for their school. The role also involves encouraging the school community to get more active and lead healthier lifestyles. The project has been running since 2015 and there are now 187 Junior Travel Ambassadors from thirty-one primary schools across the county.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Greater Cambridge Partnership<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Transport<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Progress on transport included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>construction on Adams Road and the Waterbeach Station Haul Road both of which will complete in the next quarter, and also in Shepreth Village.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) inquiry for Cambourne to Cambridge completed in November 2025 and we are currently awaiting a decision from the Secretary of State.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Main works are anticipated to begin in July on Waterbeach Railway Station with construction continuing on the Melbourn Greenway in Shepreth.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The remaining budget for the Chisholm Trail maintenance is now being transferred to the City Council<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Cambourne to Cambridge project went through a Public Inquiry last year and the outcome of this is still pending.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Work continues on the Greenways programme which takes cars off roads in Queen Edith\u2019s. Work planned or underway this year includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>replacement Burrells Walk Bridge,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sidgwick Avenue Phase 1,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the delivery of sections of the Barton Greenway linking Barton to and across the M11,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>further works on the Fulbourn Greenway, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the start of the main construction of the Melbourn, Sawston, and St Ives Greenways.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The offline section of the Swaffhams and Bottisham Greenways are also programmed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Sawston Greenway business case was approved. Below is a map. The Greenway comes over Francis Crick Avenue and then does a dog leg through Long Road onto Sedley Taylor Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img class=\"glightbox\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"919\" height=\"717\" src=\"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-4.png 919w, https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-4-300x234.png 300w, https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-4-768x599.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 919px) 100vw, 919px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The GCP programmes to bring employers and students together continued including placements, mentoring etc. Employers were helped to access funds and training initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are many projects to improve transport and this is just a selection:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use of AI to analyse data has been assessed and work continues to develop ways of accessing transport data. The GCP has 60 sensors to collect traffic data to support development and monitoring of schemes. The Biomedical Campus is in the process of deploying 30 sensors on the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There was successful trial of a smart pedestrian crossing which reduced waiting times by 36%. This will be installed at a further 3 crossings although not in Queen Edith\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is a further trial of bus priority technology using vision based sensors to give buses priority at junctions, which has shown that this is more accurate than GPS. This has been part of a successful funding bid through the European Institute of Innovation &amp; Technology (EIT) Urban Mobility programme, part of the European Union. The grant for the project is \u00a3325,090 for all the partners which includes the company Transcality and three European cities. The project will look at how real-time modelling can help in managing the road network by running multiple scenarios to establish the most efficient way to manage traffic and the rest of the transport network. The project is currently being set up.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Corridor Schemes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The GCP is looking at improving multiple major routes into the city. Here is a map<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img class=\"glightbox\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"591\" src=\"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-5-1024x591.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-5-1024x591.png 1024w, https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-5-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-5-768x444.png 768w, https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-5.png 1387w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The roads in Queen Edith\u2019s are Hills Road and Mowbray Road. In addition there is also the A1134 corridor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Discussions with the County Council have resulted in the following principles for further work on these roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Doing the schemes concurrently would place an unbearable strain on the network and cause huge congestion, reduced public transport reliability and reduced resilience to unplanned works.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The schemes should follow utility interventions on the same corridor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most significant works across the city include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cadent Gas main replacement works \u2013 this is a Health and Safety Executive requirement to be delivered by 2030.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>UK Power Networks have an ongoing work to link new substations around the city. This has already taken place in Queen Edith\u2019s.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cambridge Neat Network which is still to be decided on by the City Council.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hills Road<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Concept Designs for Hills Road have been consulted on and a paper to update on the scheme is planned for early 2027 with engagement with the public, planned in the middle of 2027. Detailed design and procurement will then follow. Based on this, construction could start by late 2028.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Utilities works are scheduled on Hills Road for later this year by Cadent Gas. In addition to this, major work is anticipated over the next 12 months in relation to works at Botanic Place. Due to other projects, construction could be delayed to summer 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A1134<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only high level concept work has been carried out on this road. This is planned for completion in 2029.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this report: FULL COUNCIL Reform UK narrowly held the Roman Bank and Peckover county council seat on Thursday 25 June. A by-election for the Ramsey and Bury seat will take place on Thursday 16 July. The council\u2019s current composition is: Liberal Democrat and Independent 33 Conservative 10 Reform UK 8 Labour 5 Green 3 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":93,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-325","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=325"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/325\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":328,"href":"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/325\/revisions\/328"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/93"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/karenyoung.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}