'Good news' welcomed as council decides future of flood-hit Cambridgeshire road
The B1041 Mill Lane near St Neots was closed four times in 2024
A county councillor has said people affected by a flood hit Cambridgeshire road should welcome the fact plans are in place to improve the route.
The B1041 Mill Lane - a key route between Little Paxton and St Neots - was closed four times due to flooding last year.
As of last December, a new road surface was laid on existing concrete beneath as well as a new kerb line installed.
Cambridgeshire County Council's highways and transport committee are due to discuss how best to address flooding along Mill Lane bridge today (Tuesday).
"These problems have been happening more frequently and they've been going on for as long as I've been living in St Neots, so more than a decade, so it (action) should be good news," Cllr Stephen Ferguson, who represents St Neots and Lt Paxton, said.
"The council's considering spending a lot of money either way on helping to alleviate this problem, so I think it's good news as it's a rare example where democracy works and local people's views are being heard."
Small scale works
In October 2024, the road was repaired and strengthened at a cost of roughly £15,000 but the following month, those repairs were washed away.
Councillors are due to hear about research - carried out by the St Neots Flood Action Group (FLAG) - into the drainage history of the area surrounding Mill Lane.
The council has said "small scale works" identified by St Neots FLAG could be completed to "reduce the frequency and duration of flooding of Mill Lane", which are due to be further investigated.
The Environment Agency is also undertaking a ‘Great Ouse Strategic Intervention Study’ to better understand the current and future flood risk from river and surface water sources across the Great Ouse Catchment.
Councillors will also hear that a programme to upgrade electronic flood signage is underway, with the first being in Lt Paxton as well as new signs planned for Earith and Welney Wash.
These are all expected to be installed by June.
£250,000 scheme not 'best value for money'
Papers published ahead of the council meeting say the authority does not recommend a road-based scheme for Mill Lane only - which it says would cost up to £250,000 - as it is not "best value for money".
Instead, councillors will be asked to approve an allocation of £250,000 to support other measures included in the proposed highways capital maintenance programme.
In the plans, £100,000 would be allocated towards short-term interventions to support flood risk and improved recovery times at Mill Lane.
While £150,000 would be allocated for an assessment for three flood affected road at Lt Paxton, the A1123 at Earith and the B1040 at Whittlesey.
"I'm minded to think solving the flooding problem to mean the road surface won't be washed away again, and if it is closed and will be for maybe days at a time rather than weeks seems a more sensible choice for me," Mr Ferguson said.
"The big issue is whether any council is going to afford tens of millions of pounds to improve a road crossing; if we have to shut that road to replace it, it's going to be shut for at least six months."