Cambridgeshire County Council is set to consider allocating an additional £5 million to boost preventative maintenance on local roads ahead of the winter months. The funding, to be discussed by the council’s extraordinary Highways and Transport Committee on 28 July, would target an extra 30km of carriageway for patching, sealing and resurfacing work.
Where the money would be spent
The scheme focuses on a mixture of A‑roads, B‑roads and important local links that suffered badly during recent cold snaps and heavy rainfall. Specific locations named in the council report include:
- A1307 Hills Road, Cambridge
- A1301 Cambridge Road, Great Shelford
- A142 Ely Road, Soham
- A1123 Hill Row Causeway, Haddenham
- A605, Elton
- B1099 Upwell Road, March
| Road | Location |
|---|---|
| A1307 | Hills Road, Cambridge |
| A1301 | Cambridge Road, Great Shelford |
| A142 | Ely Road, Soham |
| A1123 | Hill Row Causeway, Haddenham |
| A605 | Elton |
| B1099 | Upwell Road, March |
Context and rationale
The extra spending would sit alongside a record highways maintenance budget, with the council already committing more than £78 million for 2026–27. Of that total, the government contributes £31.3 million.
Officials say the additional funding would be used not only for traditional patching and resurfacing but also for preventative works designed to extend the life of the carriageway and reduce the formation of potholes. Techniques set out in the proposals include large‑scale mastic screed repairs, structural patching and crack sealing, intended to protect roads before defects emerge.
"Residents have been clear that improving the condition of our roads is a priority and we hope this proposal for further investment shows we are listening to people’s concerns and learning from previous years," said Cllr Robin Wyatt, vice‑chair of the committee.
The push for more preventative work follows widespread public feedback and the memory of last winter’s extended cold spells and heavy rain, which produced a marked rise in potholes and other defects across the county.
What this means for drivers
If councillors approve the extra funding, drivers should see targeted repairs on the roads listed above and potentially other routes identified as vulnerable. The council says these treatments aim to improve safety for all road users and to deliver better value by addressing weaknesses before they become larger, more costly failures.
The committee meeting on 28 July will decide whether to add the £5 million to the highways programme. Members will weigh the immediate cost against the potential savings and safety benefits of a prevention‑focused approach.
Further updates will be published after the committee vote.
