Councillors at Cambridgeshire County Council have called for tighter controls on lorries using rural roads after a string of diversion routes was blamed for extensive wear and costly repairs.
Local members raise alarm over damage
At a meeting on Tuesday (July 28), Conservative councillors described how HGVs diverted from major trunk roads are putting pressure on smaller lanes, in particular peat-damaged sections in Fenland.
“We were told there would be at least four weeks’ notice before we know what’s going on. That’s impossible, because there was 10 days between the actual original notice and the actual proposed start date,”
The remarks came from Cllr Mark Goldsack of Soham North and Isleham, who welcomed scheduled repairs to the A142 (Soham Road) but criticised the short notice given for the works and the choice of diversionary routes. He said local drivers were familiar with dips and bumps on these roads, but through drivers following the diversions were not and could cause further deterioration.
Council officers and members debate responsibilities
Josh Rutherford, head of asset management, told councillors that in emergencies the police would divert traffic onto the nearest viable route, while planned highways diversions would be routed onto roads of the same class.
Cllr Ian Gardener (Alconbury and Kimbolton) suggested erecting signage to steer HGVs away from roads unable to cope with heavy vehicles, arguing that lorries coming off the A14 after incidents were frequently using rural lanes and increasing maintenance bills for the council. He said modest spending on signs could reduce, though not eliminate, the problem.
- Main concern: diverted HGVs are damaging peat-damaged Fenland roads and increasing maintenance costs.
- Operational issue: short notice for roadworks and diversions leaves insufficient time to plan suitable routes.
- Suggested measures: use of signage to warn HGVs and rerouting onto roads of equivalent class where possible.
Practical implications for residents
The dispute highlights competing pressures on the county’s road network: the need to keep strategic routes such as the A14 and A142 moving, the operational role of the police in emergencies, and the vulnerability of smaller rural roads—many on peat—to heavy traffic. Increased wear on these lanes can lead to more frequent repairs and higher costs borne by the county council and, ultimately, taxpayers.
| Issue | Responsible party |
|---|---|
| Emergency diversions | Police (operational decision) |
| Planned highways diversions | Cambridgeshire County Council (route of same class) |
| Road maintenance costs | County council (budget impact) |
Councillors are seeking clearer protocols to minimise harm to rural roads when major routes are closed and are urging the council to consider low-cost interventions, such as signage warning HGVs that certain lanes are unsuitable. Officers restated that diversion decisions depend on whether the closure is an emergency or a planned event.
Further discussion and any formal policy change will be watched closely by parish councils and residents in Fenland and other rural parts of Cambridgeshire, where local roads are already under strain from seasonal and agricultural traffic.
