Blog

5th March 2025

Earith Causeway

Apart from the minor tweaks arranged for the causeway road, I’ve recently been working on a longer-term solution to avoid road closures altogether. We know this will be very costly and competing for funding will be challenging. However, we took a first step yesterday at the County Highways and Infrastructure Committee. We agreed to a funding allocation to develop a high-level options appraisal. This should identify the favoured bridging solution and the likely cost. It will then inform the prioritisation process for a full design and build project. At the same time, the EA is conducting a study to see if they can take any measures to better control water levels along the Hunts section of the Ouse.

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27th February 2025

HDC budget

It was the annual budget meeting at HDC last night. The Joint Administration decided to increase Council Tax by the maximum allowed (3.11%) even though finances are in good shape. When they took over 3 years ago we heard the usual guff about a ‘black hole’ that of course never materialised. Conservatives proposed to eliminate some unnecessary spending in favour of reduced market charges and free short-term parking. Outvoted.

County Communities Committee

This afternoon was my last meeting of this committee. It was a new committee set up by Steve Count, the leader of the previous Conservative administration specifically to manage the areas of council business I had championed and came to call my own.

We agreed the procurement of services to strengthen security for Domestic Abuse victims who wish to remain in their own homes. Moving to an unknown location may seem the obvious solution, but it can add significant additional pressures on a family at an already traumatic time.

We also agreed to re-tender the contract for the on-line Library Management System which expires a year from now. I am particularly proud of my work to transform libraries back in 2018. They are now a multi-functional element of the council’s service structure rather than a stand-alone service vulnerable to cost cutting.

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18th February 2025

Reeves’ budget (5) – Social Care

One of the most important services at County Council, and certainly that with the largest budget is Social Care. Delivery of the service is entirely dependent on the Care Home providers. There has always been a difficult financial balancing act between what the Council can afford, and the cost of running Care Homes.

Hospices and Care Homes are included within the Employer NI tax raid and there is great concern locally that this will inevitably lead to service cuts and ultimately closures. A cross-Party group of more than 50 MPs has now publicly expressed their conclusion that the £900m hit on the care sector is unsustainable. The implications of these tax rises have clearly not been thought through.

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14th February 2025

Somersham Neighbourhood Plan

Neighbourhood Plans are a recognised tool to help determine how a town or village develops. It needs to be community-led, follow set criteria and contain considerable detail. The parish council can assist, but should defer to resident representation.

Previous attempts to develop a NP elicited very little enthusiasm, but with talk of continued housing development, sufficient interest has now emerged. The process is well underway, and I have offered to help in any way I can. A few residents are involved and more are welcome. The Parish council has organised several meetings and a questionnaire will be available shortly with feedback/draft proposals ready by summer.

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11th February 2025

Tax to the Max

This afternoon we held the County Annual Budget meeting of full council. The Joint Administration budget was very much officer-led with an assumption of tax to the maximum 4.99%. With a coalition of political parties, the easy option is to row in behind whatever the officers suggest. We used to do things differently and if Conservatives take back control after May, I’m sure will do so again.

The Administration is not maximising the use of an extra £8.1m funding allocated for Highway maintenance. Conservatives put forward a list of schemes that should be prioritised with this extra money. My scheme was the improved drainage and resurfacing of Parkhall Rd in Somersham, which is way overdue. Voted down of course, but I’ll keep pushing.

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5th February 2025

Planning reforms

Angela Raynor thinks ‘growth’ is a simple case of building more houses much quicker. She also thinks that can be achieved by simply slackening the rules and changing the goalposts to make it harder to refuse applications.

House building is demand-led. Developers will only build houses as fast as they can sell. Only 2 months ago Rachel Reeves made that more difficult.

· The increase in NI contributions increased the cost of building.

· The reduction in stamp duty threshold will make it harder for buyers.

· Interest rates are likely to stay higher for longer.

· Mortgages will be more difficult.

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28th January 2025

Reeves’ budget (4) – 20% VAT on private education

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been contacted by several parents who are bitterly disappointed that they can no longer afford to send their child to a private school. The sudden imposition of an additional 20% is clearly a socialist policy intended to punish the rich. The reality is that parents I have spoken to are far from rich and make significant sacrifices for their child’s benefit. Pupils who now join state schools instead will cost the taxpayer for their education, and in some cases exceed local classroom capacity. Where this is the case, we will have to pay their daily transport to another school. It makes no sense.

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20th January 2025

Devolution and Local Gov’t Reform

We have now had time to analyse the Gov’t White Paper that passed through Parliament just before Christmas.

In a nutshell, any area that does not have an elected Mayor and Combined Authority through which strategic funding can be devolved down, will need to instigate the process to introduce them asap. We already have a Mayor for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, so this does not affect us.

Any area that still has 2-tier local gov’t (ie District & County councils) must move to a Unitary system by 2028. This will result in District & County councils disappearing to be replaced by one layer of gov’t. The optimum size is 500k residents. With Cambs & P’boro totalling just over 900k residents, we can easily deduce that 2 unitaries, based around each city is the likely outcome. All parties have until autumn to put forward a consensus proposal of where boundaries are drawn.

The transfer of responsibilities, staff and assets is a costly and complex process, which will inevitably cause disruption over the next 3 years.

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10th Jan 2025

At the County Communities meeting today we received a report on the Administration’s decentralisation efforts. It consisted of a list of pilot projects that demonstrated partnership working in various localities round the county. As good as it is, we have done it all before.

I was the lead member under the previous administration. Partnerships worked under the banner of ‘Think Communities’ and our scheme was launched as ‘Cambridgeshire Local’. That work all stopped and 4 years later we have ‘Closer to Communities’ and ‘Our future Council’. Same stuff, different label, 4 years lost.

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15th December 2024

Reeves’ budget (3) – Employer NI contributions

I’ve met several small business owners recently. They are despondent at how they are being hit, just as they try to recover from the difficulties of Covid and the period of sudden fuel price rises.

· A small pub will have £23k added to it’s staff costs.

· A Huntingdon factory’s employment costs will rise by over £100k, which is roughly equivalent to last years’ profit.

· A local builder will not take on a school leaver and offer him training this year.

The increase also negatively affects Charities, GP surgeries, Care homes and Councils, all of whom are already strapped for cash.

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1st December 2024

Retirement

Having served on Cambs County Council for over 18 years, I have decided to step down and not seek re-election next May. It’s been a privilege, and I’ve enjoyed the challenge (most of the time), but council workload can be all-consuming. I’ll be 70 in March and feel I’ve done my bit.

Charlotte Lowe has been selected as the Conservative candidate to replace me. She is already a district councillor in several of the 9 villages I serve and I’m sure will do a good job if elected.

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8th November 2024

Reeves’ budget (2) – Inheritance tax on farms.

Originally coming from a farming background, I knew how badly this would be received.

This is a real kick in the teeth and the tax has been introduced with little understanding of the impact on farming families and no transition period. I know several local farmers who will be protesting in Westminster next week.

I arranged a meeting at our local National Farmers Union office this morning. It was made clear to me that many more farms would be affected than Gov’t estimates would have us believe.

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7th November 2024

Earith Causeway

I held a meeting with the Highways Director today. Recent experience has shown that road closures due to flooding are becoming more frequent and lasting longer. We have some minor levelling work due, but that is clearly not enough. The lengthy diversion for motorists on this busy A road is no longer acceptable.

The causeway is controlled by the Environment Agency and water flow across the flood plain cannot be impeded. A bridged solution of some sort will cost several £m. It will be classed as a Strategic Project requiring Gov’t funding channelled through the Combined Authority. The Director has suggested a way forward, so I will be preparing a case.

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1st November 2024

Reeves’ budget

Those who know me will be aware how I try to avoid national politics, which I have no control over. My focus is always local. However, this budget will have a significant effect locally and I fail to see how any of it will be good. Following on from the Winter Fuel Allowance debacle, this seems particularly harsh. I will probably be able to say more once the detail is analysed and I’ve had local feedback.

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22nd October 2024

Winter Fuel Allowance

At a full county council meeting today, we debated the shocking decision to remove the Winter Fuel payment from most pensioners. It will still be available for those receiving Pension Credit, but that only applies to those with only about £11k to live on. A huge number are in receipt of a little more than that, so are not eligible. They are only just managing, and the Annual Fuel allowance has been a life saver.

Not only is this a despicable act, but it also increases the pressure on charities and council services who will need to step in to help. Age UK puts the number at 2m nationally and 124k in Cambridgeshire.

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16th October 2024

A141 and St, Ives Improvements Scheme consultation, 16th Oct to 27th Nov.

The public consultation starts today. http://www.Cambridgshire.gov.uk/A141-StIves Please go on-line and have your say.

I was involved in the early stages of this work, designed to alleviate traffic congestion around the north of St Ives and Huntingdon, particularly in view of future planned housing growth. We were looking at northern bypass options for both towns, combined with junction improvements. Also, additional opportunities for bus and active travel.

For some reason, the St Ives end of the scheme has been dropped, which in my view is completely unacceptable. The congestion around Compass Point in St.Ives must be addressed. I will also be pushing for a cycleway extension from Huntingdon crematorium to Kings Ripton.

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30th September 2024

Road repairs in Somersham

There are 3 major areas I’ve been trying to get sorted –

· Chatteris Rd. The mile beyond Dews coach depot has sunk badly in places and my bid to get this fixed is competing with many miles of drought damaged roads across the county. I’m pleased to say, this is now scheduled in for extensive work in Nov/Dec. It will require a full road closure.

· Chatteris Rd near the bridge abutment and Station Approach. This dip has a very poor surface which is frequently patched. It should be resurfaced in December.

· Parkhall Rd needs re-surfacing. Water pools and pedestrians get soaked. It keeps being delayed due to a backlog of drainage work. Drainage needs upgrading prior to any surface improvements. I’m hopeful to get this included in next years’ budget.

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17th September 2024

New Local Plan

HDC is required to maintain an up-to-date Local Plan which identifies suitable sites for future development. The current Plan was approved in 2019 and was designed to fulfil housing need until 2036. Gov’t has insisted it is updated every 5 years.

Following the ‘call for sites’ from March – June this year, 3 documents are now being released for public consultation –

· Land Availability Assessments – this shows all sites put forward by landowners and developers, with initial feedback from HDC planners.

· Further Issues and Options – looks at how growth could be distributed around the district and the criteria for decision making.

· Sustainability Assessment – the suitability of various sites and locations.

They are all on the planning website and this is the time to have your say. It will be too late to complain when policies are set and sites have been identified. Consultation closes on Nov 27th.

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6th August 2024

Envar Incinerator

The Planning Inspector has allowed the appeal and granted permission. We feared this might be the case, but those of us voicing local opposition did all we could. The Inspector did not think the council acted unreasonably, so costs were not awarded against us. If Envar proceed, the next step will be an Environmental permit application.

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5th July 2024

General election result

I am so pleased that the Huntingdon constituency has elected Conservative Ben Obese-Jecty as our MP. I’ve campaigned with him over the last few weeks. He is a nice guy – down to earth and very approachable and has worked very hard to get elected.

Across the country the results have been dire for us Conservatives. The Government made too many mistakes and were punished for it. As a result, Labour won because Conservatives stayed at home. Socialism doesn’t work without tax rises and a bloated public sector. We’ll live to regret it.

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23rd May 2024

Internal Drainage Board

I represent HDC on the Sutton and Mepal IDB. The Cranbrook off Chatteris Rd Somersham falls within the Board’s boundary and there are regular discussions on how to keep the water flowing quickly in times of heavy rain. Todays’ meeting included an inspection of the drains and pumps that need to be constantly maintained.

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15th April 2024

Sewage issues in Colne

In times of heavy rainfall, sewage emerges through inspection covers onto the surface in Holme Fen Drove. It pollutes the road and resident’s gardens. Anglian Water are responsible, and along with the parish council, I’ve had a running battle with them for far too long. Their excuse is that a high water-table floods their system, which cannot cope and overflows. That is no doubt true, but if their pipework was sealed as it should be, then groundwater would not enter. Much of their pipework is old and needs replacing. They keep promising action, but progress is too slow. I know there are similar problems elsewhere.

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29th March 2024

Local Plan Call for Sites

HDC’s Local Plan for future development was approved in 2019. However, it needs updating every 5 years. As part of that process, it is required to invite proposals for additional sites that may be suitable for future development. This process is starting now and will run until 7th June. Any sites put forward will be open to public consultation later this year.

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21st March 2024

High Intensity User team

At county we are collaborating with the NHS to deal with HIU patients. These are people who habitually and unnecessarily present at hospital A&E depts numerous times per year. The cost is estimated to be £28m. For an investment of £900k, the team will engage with these patients to help address the wide-ranging issues they face where attendance at A&E is not appropriate.

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19th March 2024

Greater Cambridge Partnership

This organisation receives Gov’t funding to accommodate development within easy reach of Cambridges City.

It is attracting attention again because of it’s continued ‘war on the motorist’.

· Forging ahead with the C2C busway through Coton Orchard against local wishes and refusing to fully assess the locally favoured on-road option.

· Refusing to rule-out a congestion charge despite consultations demonstrating how unpopular it is. Such a charge would be particularly punitive for those from rural areas who need to travel in for work – many with relatively low paid jobs.

· Closing the road over Mill Road bridge. For many this is the shortest route in and out of the City. Detours will add to congestion and air pollution elsewhere. Crucially, it is very unpopular among the business community who rely on customers and deliveries having easy access. I regularly visit one such business.

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20th February 2024

Envar appeal hearing

Today I attended the first day of the appeal hearing at New Shire Hall. The Inspector carefully outlined the process and how he intended to schedule the programme throughout the 5 days. After the opening legal statements for and against, the Inspector invited speakers making the case for refusal. Our MP Shailesh Vara was first to speak, followed by me as the local county councillor. Then followed several residents and business owners who spoke passionately about their concerns.

The Inspector will take some time to deliberate and arrive at a decision. He will then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State who will have the final say before making their decision known sometime in the summer.

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9th February 2024

Eye Clinic

I attended Hinchingbrooke hospital yesterday to remove a cataract from my right eye. All went well and I can see much better already. This is my second encounter with the eye clinic in as many years and they’ve been brilliant.

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18th January 2024

Bus reforms

I attended a briefing today to hear the Labour Mayor’s plans to reform public transport. Having failed to get Gov’t funding through lack of an ambitious plan, we are currently stuck with using the modest amount available to continue subsidising non-viable routes, albeit with some alterations. The long-term plan is to introduce franchising, which is where the focus is now shifting, with an announcement expected later this year.

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12th January 2024

Wheatsheaf crossroads delay

Unfortunately, one of the landowners adjacent to the crossroads has sadly died before signing the land transfer. Everything was agreed, but legal process not completed. This means that work to transform the crossroads due to start shortly will have to wait until probate is granted and trustees can sign. This could take many months. If only the Joint Administration hadn’t wasted time revisiting the decision 2 years ago – it would have been built by now.

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20th December 2023

Meeting with Envar Incinerator objectors

This afternoon, by kind permission of Liz Blows, I organised a meeting at the Raptor Foundation. Attending alongside me were our MP Shailesh Vara, prospective parliamentary candidate Ben Obese-Jecty, plus councillors Jon Neish and Paul Rodgerson-Jones. We met many residents who wanted to reiterate their objections and prepare for the Planning Appeal starting on 20th February. Anyone wishing to participate is encouraged to attend on the first day.

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14th December 2023

Green Bin Tax

At HDC full council meeting last night the joint administration showed their frustration at how badly this additional tax is being received by the public. ‘Green’ councillor Lara Davenport-Ray exclaimed that “it is not a tax, taxes are compulsory, this is not, residents have a choice”. Well, it is compulsory if you want your bin emptied, just like road tax if you want a car or VAT if you buy many everyday items. Painting it as anything else is disingenuous if you ask me.

Anyway, not to worry, as a special Christmas gift they have announced that if you sign up by the end of January you will only pay £50 bin tax instead of £57.50. Go online http://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/gardenwasteservice or ring 01480 388584

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9th December 2023

HCV routing through Pidley

Pidley Lorry Group has produced a detailed draft of their application to ban lorries through Pidley. We want this to succeed, so I met with officers at CCC this week to go through it and ascertain what additional information is required. It was a positive meeting. Last night I met members of the Lorry Group to discuss the feedback from the meeting over a pint in Pidley Social Club. The Group will organise additional traffic counts and I will liaise with the police.

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20th November 2023

Envar appeal APP/E0535/W/3331431

Confirmation of some details following latest questions.

All written representations must be received by the Planning Inspectorate by Monday 4th December.

The appellant (Envar) and the County Council will need to have presented the written basis of their case by the same deadline. These will be made public on the County Council planning portal. Due to the required procurement process to obtain the services of planning and landscape consultants to support the barrister defending the appeal, the Council’s case will not be available until the final day.

Both parties will ‘flesh out’ the issues and provide the Inspector with greater detail as the process develops.

Any Groups, Organisations and Businesses who have an interest in the appeal can register for Rule 6 party status. Individuals are not normally accepted.

Rule 6 status may be applied for after 4th December, but should be as soon as possible.

Being joined as a Rule 6 party would provide the following entitlements.

– Ability to make opening and closing submissions.

– Cross examine the appellant’s witnesses.

– Formally call evidence subject to cross examination by the applicant.

– Formal opportunity to enter their own Statement of Common Ground with the appellant. Counsel would not want a tripartite agreement with a rule 6 party.

It is generally accepted that to take advantage of rule 6 status and the ‘place at the table’ it affords, it is advisable to attend on every day of the public sittings.

There is also the possibility of pro-bono advice to represent the rule 6 party if they do not have the funds for this. This may be in the form of a junior barrister or planner. There is some information on organisations who may be able to help in paragraph 19 of the PINS guide to rule 6 for interested parties Guide to Rule 6 for interested parties involved in an inquiry – planning appeals and called-in applications – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The public Inquiry sittings will commence on Tuesday 20th February, local venue to be decided. It is scheduled to last up to 8 working days and is open to the public.

Individuals have no legal right to address the Inspector at the public inquiry but can be accommodated at the Inspector’s discretion. I have sought agreement from the Inspector and received confirmation that individuals will be allocated time to speak. It has been requested that any such speakers should attend on day one to make their intentions known and be informed of likely timings.

The main participants including any rule 6 parties will have seen all representations in advance and thus prepared their case. No new information should be introduced at that stage, so it is essential that all relevant points are submitted in writing by 4th December.

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8th November 2023

Parliamentary Boundary changes

Due to population growth in certain areas of England and the significant inequality of representation that has built up, a boundary review has been undertaken over the last couple of years to regularise the situation. Our MP, Shailesh Vara in the North-West Cambs constituency (stretching from Earith to Stamford) represents nearly 50% more constituents than some inner-city labour areas.

The nine villages I represent will all move to a new Huntingdon constituency. Jonathan Djanogly has been deselected and will step down at the next election. We have appointed an excellent candidate in his place, in Ben Obese-Jecty. He is out and about meeting residents already. I, with other volunteers will be helping him deliver an introductory leaflet over the next few weeks.

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17th October 2023

Drought affected roads

Today I presented a motion to the full council at CCC. It is well over a year since many of our roads subsided due to peat soil shrinkage during the drought of Summer ’22. The Joint Administration claims to ‘have a plan’, but the roads continue to deteriorate, and we have yet to see it.

A risk assessment and priority list of the worst roads should have been prepared months ago, followed by costs, allocation of available capital and a bid to Gov’t.

Driving along some of our roads, particularly in Fenland, but locally Somersham to Chatteris and Earith to Willingham can be alarming and a real safety concern. I have suggested that reduced speed limits and warning signage should introduced on the worst roads asap – particularly alongside water filled ditches and rivers.

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24th September 2023

Envar development

Having had their extensive expansion plans turned down, they have followed up with a seperate application for everything minus the healthcare waste facility. This is obviously an ‘insurance’ proposal should the incinerator not be approved at the expected planning appeal. I have written to object due to size of buildings and impact on the landscape.

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19th July 2023

Green Bin Tax approved

Last night, the Joint Administration’s Cabinet made their decision. From next April, the privilege of putting out our Green Bins will cost £57.50 per year, irrespective of whether we use it 5 or 25 times per year. When challenged on the lack of consultation at a full council meeting tonight, Lara Davenport-Ray (Green Party – ironic or what?) explained that there was no point, “as we intended to do it anyway”.

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7th July 2023

Green Bin Tax

It was mooted in the annual budget and now we can finally see the proposed scheme. From next April an annual charge of £57.50 will be levied on those who wish to continue with the Green Bin service. Having increased Council Tax by the maximum allowed, this is a further easy option for the Lib Dem-led Joint Administration to manage their budget. In May ’22 it was a clear Conservative election pledge that we would not do so. This ‘bin tax’ is not green and will disproportionately affect those least able to pay. To all those who are emailing me, I have objected vociferously, including at an HDC Scrutiny meeting last night, however this deeply unpopular decision is theirs and theirs alone.

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25th June 2023

Holiday eye-opener

Marion and I have just returned from a very welcomed 16 day break on the Isle of Mull. We love it there and are regular visitors. The weather and hilly terrain result in some rough roads in places. However, on this visit I couldn’t help remark that they were better than a lot of the roads in Cambridgeshire. In places our local roads have been allowed to deteriorate badly over the last 2 years, with insufficient funding being allocated by the Joint Administration for maintenance. Engineers are now instructed to only repair the worst potholes, which means things can only get worse. Oh yes, and kerbside weeds will no longer be controlled – so some areas will look a mess. I’m not happy.

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10th May 2023

Planning policy review

I attended a detailed briefing today on the pending review of The Local Plan to 2036. It was approved back in 2019 and needs to be updated or replaced after 5 years. A series of public consultations are now underway to review Settlement hierarchy and local policies, along with a ‘Call for Sites’ so that the most appropriate locations can be identified to meet any housing shortfall.

Parish Councils are being briefed and they, along with the public are being encouraged to have an input. Details are on the HDC website.

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19th April 2023

Envar

Their planning application to – amongst other things, build an energy from waste incinerator, came to planning committee today. I spoke against the application, as did many local residents. At the end of a 7 hour meeting, the application was rejected by 5 votes to 4, despite the officer recommendation to approve. I fully expect the applicant to appeal, so it’s not over yet.

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23rd March 2023

Immigration

The accommodation of asylum seekers is becoming a big issue, gradually affecting all parts of the country. Apart from the additional pressure on services, there is a shortage of housing. It is therefore imperative that the Gov’t manages to control the situation. At the County Communities Committee this morning we received a report on the support being offered here in Cambridgeshire. We all agreed we should support those in need as best we can. However, the Lib/Lab administration wishes to sign a ‘Place of Safety Pledge’ which will result in a refusal to co-operate with the Home Office ‘unless legally obliged to do so’. This is a step too far for me, as we also need to prioritise the safety of local residents. We have seen reports of terrible crimes committed by a small minority of illegal immigrants and I feel we should freely share information with the Home Office to keep tabs on who is here and where they are.

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21st March 2023

C2C

This is the Cambourne to Cambridge £200m dedicated busway route being proposed by the Lib/Lab Greater Cambridge Partnership. The proposed route would cut through countryside in Madingley and through the ancient Coton Orchard with the loss of very many valuable trees. Permission is required from the County Council as the Highway Authority. Like very many local residents, the Conservative Group is totally against this proposal as it stands. We proposed working up a direct comparison with a £20m alternative route which utilises a modification to the current road network where possible. Even though this is quite some distance from my patch, due to my background in landscape design and my love of trees, I found myself seconding the alternative proposal. We lost the vote. Shameful.

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8th March 2023

Community grants

Sad day today. Back in 2016, whilst leading on county-wide work in our communities, I walked into the CEO’s office and requested £1m. Not something that happens every day. Having successfully sold my idea to develop mutually beneficial community projects, such as Timebanks, Mens’ Sheds, Older Peoples’ Wardens and Youth Workers, I launched a ‘Cultivate’ fund. The funding pot has been topped up several times, and over the last 7 years we have kick-started and supported many schemes.

The Joint Administration does not attach as much importance to our community work as I did and sadly the plug has been pulled on the Cultivate Fund. Today we assessed the final 25 bids, and I’m pleased to say that most will be successful. Historically, the supported schemes have benefited many residents and saved the council money. It’s tragic and short-sighted to end it in this way.

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23rd February 2023

HDC Annual Budget

This was set at the Annual meeting last night. The budget pressures facing the Coalition Administration have conveniently vanished for this year, with an unexpected injection of around £5m of Gov’t funding.

My Conservative Group did not support the hike in Council Tax or the proposals for potential future savings such as charging for green bins.

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17th February 2023

HCV routing

Having been heavily involved in reviewing the County HCV policy recently, I have been assisting Pidley Lorry Group to pursue the possibility of banning HCVs from using Pidley as a ‘through route’. My advice has been to expand the Somersham weight limit rather than introduce a separate new one. Justifying a weight restriction is not easy or simple. The implications that need to be considered are numerous. I met the Assistant highway director earlier today to promote the scheme and discuss the best way forward. I will be working with the Lorry Group to prepare a proposal. Watch this space.

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10th February 2023

Envar Incinerator application.

We now know this will be decided at the Planning Committee on April 19th. The Committee will undertake a site visit next week, and as the local councillor, I will also be attending. Questions only, no debate and no sales pitch.

Road subsidence

With the news that improvements to fen roads were not being prioritised this year, Simon Dew has contacted me to justifiably raise concern about the safety of his double decker buses using Chatteris Road to transport children to Cromwell school. We’ve discussed the various locations where significant dips could destabilise the buses. I have been able to insist that senior highway engineers carry out an immediate inspection and work out how some funding can be allocated. It has now been confirmed that emergency repairs will undertaken next week.

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7th February 2023

County budget cuts

Earlier today at New Shire Hall the annual budget meeting was held. The Lib Dem-led coalition will increase Council Tax by the 4.99% maximum allowed. In addition to the Community funding cuts previously mentioned, there will be staff reductions in Mental Health and Special Educational Needs. Highway maintenance will be cut and work is underway to investigate the reduction of winter gritting and weed control. The planned work to underpin the sunken patches in the fen roads has been deferred indefinitely. The Conservatives alternative budget proposed a reversal of the cuts, a reduced council tax increase and some detail on how we would be doing things differently. Being less than half of the council, we obviously lost the vote.

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17th January 2023

20 mph speed limit

I can understand that not everyone will welcome the introduction of 20mph limits in our towns and villages, but they will become much more widespread over the next couple of years, and I predict that before long it will be the default position.

As reported here before, Somersham Parish Council is introducing a 20 limit and councillor Dianna Skeggs objects and has been telling all who will listen that this is a personal agenda of mine being forced on the village. What rubbish ! I am merely the messenger informing the parish of the policy change and agreeing to support the PC in whatever they decide. This was clarified at the PC meeting earlier this week. Councillors voted overwhelmingly to continue with the scheme. Signs will be changed in Somersham and Woodhurst shortly.

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12th December 2022

County Budget cuts

Over the last week, the Lib/Lab/Ind coalition budget plans for next year have started to emerge. Their much heralded ‘Decentralisation’ agenda has failed to materialise almost 2 years into their administration and the can appears to have been ‘kicked down the road’ yet again. The ‘Think Communities’ team that I set up 3 years ago to deliver a ‘Cambridgeshire Local’ partnership service has therefore not been able to deliver the intended outcomes and efficiencies and is now under threat. They are now considering cuts to the very services that decentralisation should have delivered, risking a downward spiral.

· Withdrawal of funding for work against scams – just at a time when regrettably scams are prevalent.

· Cessation of the ‘invest-to-save’ Cultivate Fund. I set this up in 2016 and it has been highly successful, kick-starting community projects across the county such as Timebanks, lunch clubs, youth groups, men’s sheds, and the Somersham ‘Changing Lives’ project. The £2.3m invested over the last 6 years has been paid back in savings accrued, with an additional £1m on top.

· Removal of the Community Engagement Vehicle, which I commissioned specifically to bring services, information and to support events in rural villages.

· Discontinuing the Community Capital Fund which was designed to assist the completion of struggling live projects. Somersham skate ramp and Woodhurst village hall were recent recipients.

These are just in Community Services, where I lead the political opposition. We are braced for cuts across all services and the potential for a significant increase in Council Tax.

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1^st December 2022

Rural policing

Last night I attended a meeting with the Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner and the Rural Crime Unit. Increasingly they are being called out to countryside thefts and hare coursing. They are a highly effective team, equipped with off-road vehicles and drones, however they only work single shifts each day, so we are urging for an increase in resources to increase the time covered.

Crime within villages was also discussed alongside the issue that some residents no longer bother to report crimes due to a lack of response. It was emphasised that reporting was essential because resource is often allocated according to known crime figures.

There was a consensus that a more effective reporting mechanism was needed, with 101 being viewed as unfit for purpose. The PCC will be reporting back to the Chief Constable and exerting pressure on our behalf.

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28^th November 2022

One Leisure price hike.

Various meetings earlier this month have resulted in the Lib Dem/Labour/Ind coalition at HDC deciding to raise One Leisure prices by an average of 8.7%.

As part of the previous Conservative Administration, our focus was on the health of our residents, by encouraging as many as possible to access the facilities. We accepted that in the interests of serving the public, this may entail a small subsidy.

After only 6 months in power the new Administration has revealed their ambition to remove the deficit, hopefully “leading to creating a surplus position”. In other words, a focus on making money rather than serving the public.

At this months’ Scrutiny meeting, I commented that this was “the worst possible time” to increase prices and could result in reduced usage. This would not help the public and ironically could result in less income. I asked if there was a Plan B if this didn’t work, only to be told there was not, and the administration were determined to push this through. I just hope this price rise doesn’t prevent some from using these fantastic facilities.

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21st November 2022

Ouse Washes Barrier Bank work complete.

Last week I attended the ceremony at Welney to celebrate the completion of this huge project by the Environment Agency. The Washes provide flood storage for 90,000,000m3 of water over winter to protect communities and farmland from flooding, stretching from Upwell in the north to Earith in the south.

Due to soil settling and erosion over time, the riverbanks have required raising and reprofiling by extensive importation of clay and soil. This work has taken over 5 years to complete and is an essential part of our flood defences.

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15th November 2022

Wheatsheaf crossroads

Having worked hard to agree a solution as part of the previous Conservative Administration at Cambridgeshire County Council, I am frustrated at the delays and worried at how many accidents continue to occur at the junction.

Unfortunately, it is now out of my hands since the Lib Dem/Labour/Ind coalition took over the council in May ’21.

You will see that our start date of Spring ’21 has slipped a whole year while the Coalition made up its mind whether to proceed,

Wheatsheaf Project – current delivery timescales

Gateway 1 -Project Setup : Feb 2022 – April 2022

Gateway 2-3 – Feasibility / Consultation: April 2022- August 2022

Gateway 3-4 – Preliminary Design: June 2022 – December 2022

Gateway 4-5 – Detailed Design: December 2022 – July 2023

Gateway 5-6 – Procurement: August 2023 – November 2023

Gateway 6 – Approval of Target Cost: November – February 2024

Gateway 6-7 – Construction Phase: March 2024 – September 2024

Gateway 7-8 – Post Completion Activities: September 2024 – September 2025

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3rd November 2022

Avian Flu Outbreak in Somersham

Avian Flu has been detected in various parts of the country for some time. When wild birds become infected, it is very difficult to control. Tragically, it has struck locally at Alpha Farm in Parkhall Road. DEFRA will now need to oversee the destruction of all the birds on this commercial chicken farm. A 3km protection zone has been declared, requiring all domesticated birds to be kept indoors and restricting their movement. It should be emphasised there is no known risk to human health. Officers from Trading Standards will be door-knocking around the village on Tuesday to identify and advise any households with captive birds.

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25th October 2022

Bus cuts – Good news at last !

The Combined Authority has re-tendered the services due to be withdrawn by Stagecoach in a few days’ time. The V1/V3 service has been retendered and taken over by Dews with no interruption in service. A huge relief to many, I’m sure.

This is being funded until the end of March. We will be pressing the Mayor to accelerate the development of his much needed Bus Service Improvement Plan, so he can draw down the generous Gov’t funding that has been available for some time. He now appears to be the only Mayor who has not done so. We need a more permanent solution in place before March.

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20th October 2022

Bus cuts – latest position.

I attended a meeting this morning where we tried to get clarity on the latest position.

Following the Mayors’ tendering process to replace the doomed Stagecoach services, information being released is patchy and unlikely to be fully made public until next Monday. Despite my protestations, this will be less than a week before ‘red rated’ services may end and prolongs the uncertainty for worried residents who rely on these buses to get to work. We are told that some services will be retained in some form until March, and it appears that our local V3 service, which I have been lobbying for, could be one of them.

It has also emerged that The Mayor had been given advance notice of likely Stagecoach cuts as far back as May, so one must question why he was not better prepared. I have been in constant communication with our MP Shailesh Vara, who has also been on the case. Gov’t funds are still available, but The Mayor has so far failed to come up with a credible plan in order to bid for them.

Had the County Council Joint Administration accepted the Conservative Motion 3 weeks ago to contribute funding from reserves, we could have helped give reassurance sooner and save more services, including the ‘amber routes’ which remain very much at risk.

Highway problems

I am frustrated by the increasingly long list of highway faults that are not being fixed in a timely manner. Some are entirely the responsibility of utility companies – and they seem to be increasingly slow to respond. Some are structural failures because of dry weather and/or underlying soil type. Highway budgets have always been under pressure, but the County Joint Administration is not maintaining recent funding levels and at a meeting this morning the Council Leader admitted that road conditions will continue to worsen. I will continue to work with our local highway engineer to prioritise as many faults as possible, but his limited budget is bound to have an impact. Current issues being dealt with are

· Sink hole in Parkhall Road. Thought to be a cavity caused by a water leak – so responsibility of utility company. Having discussed with our local Highway Engineer, we couldn’t wait any longer, so it has now been filled. Unfortunately, the repair may not last long.

· Bad sinkage on road to Chatteris. Normal patching will not be appropriate, so some ‘deep dig’ reconstruction of the worst areas is planned. After the dry summer, there is a long list of similar problems elsewhere being programmed in. They cannot all be done at once.

· Bad dips the other side of Brickability on the way back from St Ives. These are Cambridge Water repairs that have sunk, and they have been served notice to return and correct.

Help for struggling families

Letters are being sent out to parents reminding them of the opportunity to apply for free school meals. At the same time, a voucher is being sent to those who qualify to cover half-term week. The voucher scheme will be repeated at Christmas and February half term.

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4th October 2022

20mph limits

The proposals to introduce village-wide 20mph limits in Somersham and Woodhurst are now open to formal statutory public consultation. The schemes have been developed because of local concerns and reflect a growing trend across the country. Should these be approved, the parish councils will contribute to the cost of implementation, but most of the cost will be covered by CCC grant funding.

Maps showing the extent of the schemes are attached below. Should you wish to comment, for or against, please write to the address below, quoting PR0848 for Somersham and PR0849 for Woodhurst.

Policy & Regulation, Box D8E, Huntingdon Highways, Stanton Way, Huntingdon, PE29 6PY

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3rd October 2022

Update on Cost-of-Living concerns

With the rising cost of energy due to the war in Ukraine and following the introduction of the very welcome Gov’t price cap on October 1st, this briefing outlines the work the county council has done and is doing to support residents.

At the onset of the Covid pandemic, I was responsible for setting up a central Support Hub. That is still operating to deal with continuing wider demands. Working with our partners across the public, community, and voluntary sectors we have made sure that anyone who has contacted us for help from the Household Support Fund has also been offered –

• links to offers such as income maximisation,

• take-up of our offers such as free school meals, healthy start and free childcare etc

• linking with Council tax reduction schemes in district and city councils

• awareness and use of social tariffs for energy, water and broadband

• links to local energy advice offers

For people aged 65 and over this help and support has been provided through AgeUK Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.

As of this week we have processed 35,192 applications for the Household Support fund since it began in October 2021. We have issued just over £2.3m in vouchers, and a further £367k in non-voucher help. The fund receives around 250 applications a day and we are expecting more as it gets colder. Our demographic information shows that most applications have been made by people from the most deprived areas of the county. Individuals who receive support via the fund are also being sent an information pack directing them to other potential sources of support.

In addition we have continued to update our information for all residents helpful information and advice on a single webpage – including details about the schemes we are running or administering, as well as schemes delivered by others. We have been updating this and plan to add in ‘key words’ to help people search more widely for information. We have added advice to help safeguard against possible scams.

Our social media channels have also been promoting information, including a reminder for residents to submit a reading to their energy companies ahead of Oct 1st, so that any increases are based on actual, rather than estimated, levels of usage.

We have launched a new energy information guide to help and support residents about improving their energy efficiency, along with information about different energy options. Over the coming week we will be regularly and proactively promoting this information alongside updates about the Household Support Fund.

We will also be encouraging families to check if they are eligible for free school meals – with a reminder that we will continue to make vouchers of £15 per child per week available during the half term and Christmas holidays.

We are also promoting help and advice for our employees both for themselves and their families and so that they can help the communities and the people they serve.

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1st October 2022

Somersham & Pidley, Health & Wellbeing

A few days ago I met with HDC officers, Penny the parish clerk and Paula our Time Bank co-ordinator. We have been successful in being granted a package worth about £10k to help improve the health outcomes for our residents. We already run the Changing Lives project for which I helped obtain grant funding, and this latest project will allow us to target a wider cohort of people.

A consultation with residents and GPs this autumn will help identify the health priorities we should focus on.

Colne Community Woodland

Last week, I was also pleased to attend an open event to promote this super community project. As part of the Exception Site of affordable houses on Bluntisham Road, land was made available for community use stretching back behind the village Hall on East Street. Allotments are now developed and well used, with a community garden and natural woodland area.

I was involved during the original planning process, but congratulations go to Colne Parish Council and 3Cs community Group for seeing this project through to completion. I joined Lady de Ramsey, representative of the Lord Lieutenant on a guided tour with David Parsons, the PC chairman.

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30th September 2022

Bus cuts – disappointing news.

At the meeting this afternoon, Lib Dems, Labour and Independents all voted against our proposal to contribute funding to keep buses running. This would have given reassurance to those whose working lives are totally dependent on public transport.

The Mayor is trying to re-tender the services that Stagecoach is withdrawing, but we already know the £1.7m he has available will not be nearly enough. The tender process will not finish for another 3 weeks. This will only give passengers one weeks’ notice of which services can be saved. Disappointing.

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28th September 2022

Bus cuts – a proposed solution.

The County Council Strategy & Resources Committee, on which I sit, meets on Friday. It is comprised of senior councillors from all political parties. On the agenda is a detailed Finance report.

We are aware that the Mayor has £1.7m readily available. Following discussions at the Conservative Crisis Summit last Friday, we are proposing a £1.7m cash injection from the County Council. The Council has around £42m of unallocated reserves, with £7m intended for post-pandemic recovery. The Greater Cambridge Partnership is planning a £20m review of bus services next year. It makes no sense to allow services to end prior to this review, with all the disruption to peoples’ lives that will cause. We are therefore requesting that they also contribute £1.7m as an interim measure. The total of £5.1m will replace the £4.7m shortfall in Stagecoach services and allow for any increased costs.

We will be asking the Lib Dems, Labour and Independent councillors who now jointly run the County Administration, to agree to this rescue package for the benefit of our residents, many of whom rely on these services to access work and education. Watch this space.

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23rd September 2022

Bus Service cuts

I attended a crisis meeting with fellow Conservative Councillors this afternoon.

We were given a list of the local authorities that had taken advantage of Boris’ Bus Back Better funding to submit ambitious Service Improvement Plans:

• Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire (joint): £34.2m 
• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: £8.9m 
• Brighton and Hove: £27.9m 
• Central Bedfordshire: £3.7m 
• City of York: £17.4m 
• Cornwall: £13.3m 
• Derby City: £7.0m 
• Derbyshire: £47.0m 
• Devon: £14.1m 
• East Sussex: £41.4m 
• Greater Manchester: £94.8m 
• Hertfordshire: £29.7m 
• Kent: £35.1m 
• Liverpool City Region: £12.3m 
• Luton: £19.1m 
• Norfolk: £49.6m 
• North East and North of Tyne: £163.5m 
• North East Lincolnshire: £4.7m 
• Nottingham City: £11.4m 
• Nottinghamshire: £18.7m 
• Oxfordshire: £12.7m 
• Portsmouth: £48.3m 
• Reading: £26.3m 
• Stoke-on-Trent: £31.7m 
• Warrington: £16.2m 
• West Berkshire: £2.6m 
• West Midlands: £87.9m 
• West of England and North Somerset: £105.5m 
• West Sussex: £17.4m 
• West Yorkshire: £70m
• Cambridgeshire – nothing

Apparently, the Mayors’ bid was very weak and the CPCA Board members only got to see it just before submission, so had little or no input. Shameful.

It may be difficult for us to influence a Labour Mayor on the issues of rural Cambridgeshire, but we plan to try. I have already written to him. If you are concerned, please do the same and email the Mayor at;

Nik.Johnson@cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk

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21st September 2022

Bus Service Cuts.

Stagecoach has announced that 18 of their Cambridgeshire services will be terminated at the end of October. A further 22 are earmarked for review, potentially leading to a reduced service or eventual termination. Stagecoach is a commercial bus operator, and this is not something that can be prevented. Most people will be aware that many routes have been marginal on viability for some time. Stagecoach argue that patronage has typically fallen by 25% recently and even concessionary fares have fallen by 50%. Now fuel costs are rising significantly they have decided enough is enough.

The Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough is responsible for public transport through the Cambs & P’boro Combined Authority (CPCA) and has the power to subsidise services using devolved Gov’t funding. This funding is still being provided, but Stagecoach claims it does not wish to renew contracts. New service providers can be sought, but costs will inevitably rise.

Of immediate concern locally, is the termination of the ‘V’ services on which people rely to get to work in Cambridge

Our Labour Mayor is publicly protesting, but we need to be aware that the CPCA is in disarray and public transport is his responsibility. He failed to successfully bid for the Gov’t Funding that has been granted to most other Mayoral Authorities under Boris Johnson’s £multi-billion ‘Bus Back Better’ National Bus Strategy. Last year, Gov’t offered to fund schemes that “showed sufficient ambition” in their bus service improvement plans. With billions of pounds up for grabs this is a huge, missed opportunity and will cost us dearly. This is only the latest in a series of Mayoral failings and I expect there will be some heated exchanges at the next CPCA Board meeting.

I will be investigating what we can do, but clearly, The Mayor should have seen this coming, and he needs to act quickly to step in and use the Gov’t subsidy funding to keep essential services going. I’ll update as soon as I know more.

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19th September 2022

The County Council and Combine Authority are consulting on a new Transport Strategy for Huntingdonshire and a new Active Travel Strategy for Cambridgeshire.

Strategies and survey forms can be accessed via the link below.

https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/.

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16th August 2022

Not good enough !

Cambridgeshire County Council is having to undergo an Independent Governance Review. Many of the changes instigated by the Coalition Administration when elected in May of last year, have not been successful. They were clearly designed to make life easier for the Administration but have been damaging to democracy and service delivery.

As a senior councillor under the previous administration, I was interviewed at length earlier today, as part of that review. Key concerns are:

• The move from monthly Committee meetings to quarterly is a disaster. It means decisions are either being delayed or taking place behind closed doors without public scrutiny.
• An increase in officers fronting up key policies and decisions. This is allowing senior councillors to hide their lack of leadership or side-step responsibilities which are clearly theirs.
• Public Health and NHS scrutiny/liaison have both been subsumed by the Adults committee, which is now swamped and lacking focus on what matters. There are clear synergies between the NHS and Adult Social Care, however we have long argued that any shift in Public Health should be towards the Communities Committee. If the pandemic taught us anything, it is that healthy lifestyles and support for the vulnerable are best dealt with at community level.
• A woeful lack of progress in key policy areas. Vigorously pursued workstreams under the previous administration have stalled or been seriously delayed. These include the transformation of Social Care, decentralisation, expansion of the library service, infrastructure reviews, HGV policy, 20mph limit policy, A1123 traffic reduction and capital funding for community facilities.

In essence, the system needs to function better, and the current administration needs to work harder.

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10th August 2022

New Time Bank co-ordinator.

Over the last week I have been assisting with the interviews for a new co-ordinator for our Somersham & Pidley Time Bank.

We had several very good candidates and I’m pleased to say that the parish council has appointed Paula Peck to the role. She will be known to many as an active member of the community already. Paula has some very good ideas and will start as soon as she has completed her current employment notice period.

The Time Bank is continuing to help strengthen community spirit and I encourage everyone to consider joining.

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25th July 2022

Somersham Parish Council is running consultations on the introduction of a village-wide 20mph limit and the plans to increase facilities at the Norwood and Millennium community areas. See the PC website on the link below.

www.somersham-pc.gov.uk

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24th July 2022

HDC – At a meeting of the full council at HDC last week, the recently formed coalition administration presented their Corporate Plan. It involves carrying on with all the things us Conservatives were doing before the May elections. There was an admittance that the council had been well-run and the financial position was far better than expected (which exposed the dishonesty of some Lib Dem election leaflets – nothing new there).

20’s Plenty – 20 limits in residential areas are becoming more widespread across the country. Locally our policy change is nearing completion which will make it easier for parishes to introduce their own schemes. Somersham and Woodhurst are already progressing with this initiative and others are showing interest.

HGV weight limits – this is another policy change that I am helping to develop and is nearing completion. We will at last have a set process, subject to clear considerations that will allow restrictions to be applied to rural villages or village clusters where appropriate.

Envar – various concerns are still to be addressed, particularly regarding landscape impact. More information is being requested and assessed. Planning officers predict any decision will delayed until October at the earliest.

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18th July 2022

Our Labour Mayor and Combined Authority are coming under increasing scrutiny on a whole range of issues.

His predecessor, Mayor Palmer, was sometimes regarded as bullish and over ambitious, but at least he had experience and knowledge on his side. Mayor Johnson, on the other hand may have been a good paediatrician at Hinchingbrooke Hospital but has proved to be totally out of his depth in this role. I suspect it wasn’t an election he expected to win.

Under-achievement has resulted in unspent money being returned to Central Gov’t and sights lowered on what they will devolve to us in future. This reduces the potential benefits to us locally. I am told 38 members of staff have left since his election 15 months ago and nearly half of posts are vacant. With the Authority in disarray, it is proving difficult to recruit to senior roles. With a weak Mayor, it is crucial to have experienced and competent directors to keep things afloat.

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29th June 2022

Household support – I am proud that the Support Hub I helped set up to assist residents during Covid has been retained for the long term, thus enabling the county council to help with a broader range of issues for struggling families. The latest focus for Government funding is helping the elderly with the rise in the cost of living. This is particularly timely with the emerging census figures revealing a 26% population rise in those over 65. The fund is being managed by Age UK, who can be contacted on 01223 221 929 or by email; hsf@ageukcap.org.uk

County funding – In the Gov’t financial settlement for local authorities at the end of 2021, our previous calls were answered with an unexpected uplift of £10m. This gave the joint administration an unprecedented gift during their first year in office. When the 22/23 budget was set in February with a proposed 4.99% council tax rise, Conservatives complained that the combination of the £10m uplift and an underspend due to failure to deliver proposed services last year, meant that a 4.99% rise was unnecessary. At the Strategy and Resources Committee meeting earlier this week, the true picture became clear. Figures revealed a £24m revenue underspend and an £80m capital underspend.

· This money should have been spent providing services to our residents.

· This demonstrates that the extreme council tax rise – allegedly “to protect front line services” was claimed under false pretences.

At the meeting this week, us Conservatives proposed a rebate for taxpayers, particularly relevant with household costs rising. The Lib Dem led coalition voted it down, preferring to squirrel it away in an increasingly large reserves pot.

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21st June 2022

Just returned from a 2 week break in Scotland. Marion and I love the west coast and islands and have visited many times. This year we returned to our favourite location on the Isle of Mull to enjoy the scenery, wildlife, and long summer daylight hours. Unfortunately, we were not blessed with the fine weather here at home, and it rained nearly every day. I’m all in favour of devolution and self-determination, but it would be a real shame if Scottish residents decide to isolate themselves from the rest of the UK. In my experience the Scots are much less obsessed by this than we are led to believe, with much of the angst being whipped up by a purely political agenda.

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20th May 2022

District Council

Conservatives won by far the most seats at the recent district election but were short of an overall majority. As the public would expect, we offered to run a minority administration, seeking the agreement of others on individual issues. This was rebuffed.

At the AGM of HDC this week a coalition administration was formed, consisting of Lib Dems, Labour, Green and a variety of Independents. I wish them well, because our district will need to rely on them. However, experience has shown that coalitions are often slow and muddled. A year of coalition inertia at the county council is a good example. The majority of Administration members are newly elected, so there will be pressure on officers to make decisions rather than experienced elected members.

I always feel it is disingenuous to stand for election with a badge of Independence and then as soon as elected, shed that independence by jumping into bed with whoever will offer you a job.

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11th May 2022

Election

I would like to thank everyone who voted for me at the election last week. I will proudly represent Somersham at HDC for the next 4 years and as always do my very best to help all local people.

I’m sorry I didn’t manage to speak with many residents on the doorstep, but my operation in February followed by 8 weeks recovery made it impossible. I was fit enough to deliver many of my leaflets just before the election and was pleased to stop and chat on the way. Huge thanks to those who helped me.

I noticed on social media the expression of frustration that there were not more candidates. There are two reasons for this,

• The stark reality is, that being an effective councillor is very time consuming, most of it voluntary. If you are not passionate about helping people and willing to prioritise the time over all else, then there is no point in standing. If we can only attract 5 residents to sit on the relatively undemanding parish council, then what hope is there for a much bigger commitment?
• At this election there were deals done to establish a district-wide ‘arrangement’ so that in many wards only one candidate stood against Conservatives. This required Lib Dem, Labour and so-called Independents to work together and thus manipulate what choice voters had in each ward. I am aware that many residents are quite angry at the undermining of democracy in this way.

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28^th April 2022

I was asked this morning why I don’t hold a regular surgery like MPs and a few councillors do. I suppose the answer is two-fold.

1/ About 10 years ago I organised a well-publicised, monthly evening surgery in Mary’s Tea Room where I was joined by our local police officer and the parish clerk. We regularly sat for 2 hours and very rarely did anyone turn up. After about 18 months it was abandoned due to lack of interest.

2/ The lesson was, that people want to engage when they need you, not just when you create an opportunity. My email address and telephone number have always been well advertised and I am always available. It has never required a surgery for people to ask for my help. Just contact me.

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26^th April 2022

The St Ives Transport Study that I have been involved in for some time, is starting to bear fruit. The Combined Authority has granted us £2.3m to undertake a first tranche of improvements.

A reconfiguration of the roundabouts at the junctions of A1123/A1096/B1040 will take place, including traffic lights, designed specifically to improve traffic flow.

In St Ives town centre, improvements will be made to various junctions and pinch points, with a review of on-street parking and bus access.

In addition, a scoping exercise of additional active travel routes will take place around St Ives to inform future plans.

More strategic longer term proposals for a northern bypass are still being worked on.

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24th April 2022

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the opening of Colne community allotments and nature area. The land was donated for community benefit as part of the affordable housing development on Bluntisham Road. The project has involved a lot of work by the parish council and they are to be congratulated.

Nominations for the May elections have now been published. Most local parishes have good representation, but sadly, only 5 candidates have put themselves forward for the 15 places on Somersham Parish Council. This will inevitably make decision making difficult. Once established in May, the council can co-opt additional members, so I would encourage Somersham residents to consider coming forward to volunteer.

I am standing again to represent Somersham on the District Council and hope residents will lend me their support. Having spent time over the last week walking round the village, delivering my leaflet and chatting to people on the doorstep, I have enjoyed a positive response. Many people seem to recognise me and know that I am always here to help if they need me. It is humbling that some refer to things I did 15 years ago that I had long forgotten.

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17th April 2022

Envar

The latest consultation ends in a couple of days, following the applicant’s response to the issues raised by planners and the public.

For me, the need for such a facility in this location is still unproven and my formal response elaborates on this point. Much is made of how the NHS Green Plan is not best served by transporting our medical waste many miles to facilities elsewhere, but there is no information about what sources of waste will be directed here and from how far that will be transported. I will continue to support local objections.

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8th April 2022

Homes for Ukraine

HDC seems to be ahead of our neighbouring districts in the speed of our response. We are notified by the Government when a host has submitted details of the ‘guests’ they wish to accommodate.

The numbers change all the time (as people apply/withdraw/fail checks) but the current position is:

• We have c55 properties we have been asked to visit and complete DBS on
• We have already visited 35 of them and are working with the host to get the DBS check processed
• Another 10 we have contacted and are waiting for the ‘host’ to confirm a time we can visit
• For the remaining 5 or so the details have just arrived with us, and we will be in touch in the next few days.
• There are Ukrainian families now living in a number of ‘authorised’ properties in the district and we are providing them direct support and ensuring they are also connected to other supporting services and organisations.
• Current turnaround from us getting the details to making contact with the household is typically one working day.
• This process will continue as numbers rise.

There has been frustration at the time it is taking for ‘guest’ families to be granted approval and a visa to enter this country, but it is also true that host residents are seeking reassurance that refugees are genuine and do not pose a risk. This takes time. It would appear that the process has now improved significantly.

I have also been asked why the host and their property can’t be assessed prior to them applying for a ‘guest match’. The answer is that the assessment is based on the personal details of the guests to be housed.

20’s plenty

The concern that 30mph is too fast in many built-up situations continues to grow nationally and certainly locally as well. The increase in time spent in our own community during the pandemic has only reinforced the view that a 20 limit would be safer, less anti-social and increase a feeling of well-being for walkers and cyclists.

The requirement for a 20 limit to be re-enforced by traffic calming has been challenged for some time. 12 months ago, the previous Conservative Administration at CCC agreed to review the policy. The current Coalition has finally come round to the conclusion that this would be a good idea. They’ve set up a Working Group and I’ve been asked to take part. I just hope we don’t spend too much time talking and can get on with it.

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March 2022

Having undergone successful surgery in February, I am recovering well. Huge thanks to the Neurosurgery team at Addenbrookes Hospital and the excellent nursing aftercare on ward A3. Outstanding.

Taking a back seat for several weeks during recovery has given me time for reflection and re-evaluation. Being a parish and district councillor for Somersham and county councillor covering nine villages, local as well as the corporate council duties, can be all-consuming. I will be standing for the district council election in May, however I will stand down from the parish council. After 32 years, I will miss it, but feel I have done my bit. With my father and grandfather serving before me, we have served on the parish council for the last 90 years.

HDC Covid Recovery is my responsibility and I have managed to continue with briefings during my own recovery. I am proud of what the team is achieving and am confident that processes will be embedded within the next couple of months, so my specific role can come to an end. The attached document ‘Shaping the Future’ explains the progress being made. https://stevecriswellintouch.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/covid-recovery-shaping-the-future.pdf

Wheatsheaf crossroads. One of my first requests as I re-engaged with county council officers was an update meeting for this project. Design work is underway at last, but the delivery process will be drawn out over the next two years. Having unnecessarily lost nearly a year already, I am pushing to make up time.

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January 2022

Best wishes to all for the New Year. We are not done with Covid yet, but there is certainly an air of quiet optimism. NHS and Public Health colleagues are all extoling the virtues of the vaccination programme which is resulting in a huge reduction of serious cases and has undoubtedly saved many lives. It has taken many months for the true impact to be realised.

HDC Covid Recovery – is progressing well. Impact assessments are informing our work and influencing service planning and adaptation. Continuing to care for people alongside our Voluntary Sector partners is a given. Enhancing heathy lifestyles and fully utilising our public open spaces for activities will be a focus for our community work. Following up on our continued support for local businesses, helping the economy to recover and ensuring we help provide skills to improve our residents job opportunities will also be a key priority

At this months’ County Council meeting I put forward a motion to recognise the huge concern of local residents to the Envar medical waste incinerator application. My motion also demanded a move away from incineration nationally, and a reduction in the use of disposable plastics in favour of reusable and recyclable materials. The motion passed with support from my Conservative colleagues, but astonishingly, all members of the Lib Dem/Labour/Indy coalition refused to do so. Their lame excuse of it being “a planning matter” didn’t hold water, as the monitoring officer and planning officers had already confirmed. Embarrassing.

Returning to the NHS. Just before Christmas I was alerted to a significant health issue. The response of our health service was exemplary. Scans, tests and consultations during last month and this month have resulted in planned surgery in February. I will be out of action for a while but am expected to make a full recovery.

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December 2021

‘Place-based working’ is hugely important. In a nutshell it involves all public sector partners jointly focussing their efforts on the varying needs and priorities of each defined locality (about 7 in Hunts). This promotes better local engagement and more responsive service provision – particularly Adult Social Care. It follows on from the ‘Think Communities’ approach that served us so well during the pandemic lockdowns and the ‘Cambridgeshire Local’ initiative that was launched under the previous County Council Conservative administration. I was extremely proud to have led on that work, which was due to have been embedded into the system by now.

The Lib Dem led Coalition found our well-received ‘Place based working’ and ‘Cambridgeshire Local’ terminology too hard to swallow and in May, announced ‘Decentralisation’ instead. Disappointingly, since then nothing has happened. We now know this has been kicked into the long grass pending a possible proposal in March ’22. The local input and benefits of co-operative working have been lost for another year. Yet another thing in the ‘too difficult’ pile for the chaotic coalition to deal with. We have some highly qualified and very able officers at County, but in order to deliver for the public, they need clear Political leadership and vision. Certainty of direction and careful planning are essential. At the moment, frustration is rife.

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November 2021

Hallelujah! Some action at last!

Wheatsheaf – Having agreed to continue with our traffic light solution in September, the Coalition has finally agreed to allocate the required funding. Design work will hopefully now start after an eight-month delay. This means it is unlikely to happen until end of next year at the earliest.

HGV Traffic – the working group that I set up last year has new members appointed and has now finally re-commenced work. We are consulting with the police, haulage association, planners etc to gather views and evidence. Also, the Combined Authority to join up with their strategic transport routing plans.

A1123 – there is now agreement to review the rules around 20 limits and safety cameras. Also, a more creative look at what the villages along this road could install to tackle speeding and deter non-local HGVs traffic. Meetings are planned with each parish during January/February.

Covid Recovery – at HDC work has been ongoing over the last year to assess the impact of Covid on our residents and service delivery. The Leader has asked me to join the Cabinet to lead on work to help mitigate the impacts. Having lost my senior role at County, this will play to my strengths and give me the sort of focus I enjoy. My task is to look across the whole organisation to decide and oversee what measures are integrated into ‘business as usual’, which elements need a specific project and where we need to influence and work with partner organisations, such as the NHS.

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October 2021

It’s been a frustrating month at County. We are still waiting for the Coalition to get their act together after 6 months in charge. There are lots of things that ought to have happened way before now. Plans for social care, HGV traffic, 20mph review, Safety camera review, funding for Wheatsheaf and decentralisation. The latter is their ‘big thing’ but they have yet to reveal what it means and how it will work.

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10th September 2021

Last day of the Envar application public consultation. I’ve been copied into numerous responses and attended discussions at surrounding parish councils. It is clear that many residents have done their homework and made informed and meaningful comments. Material planning issues will be collated and listed on the planning portal in the coming days. Only statutory consultee responses are displayed individually. I have just submitted my objection and it has been posted on the portal. I will continue a dialogue with planners over the coming weeks as more info becomes available. I suspect this will run for some time.

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7th September 2021

Deja- vu

This morning I presented to the County Highways & Transport Committee on road safety at Wheatsheaf crossroads. The previous Conservative Administration supported me by agreeing for a traffic light solution and associated funding back in March. The new Coalition post May in their wisdom decided to review the decision and reconsider a staggered crossroads instead. After hearing persuasive arguments, the committee agreed to stick with the original plan. The 6-month delay is regrettable, but I will be pushing officers to make up for lost time.

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6th September 2021

20’s plenty

At Somersham Parish Council this evening, we decided to pursue the possibility of a 20mph limit throughout the village. It may not be welcomed by all, but it is something that has been raised with me many times. I managed to achieve the speed limit reduction in Parkhall Road several years ago, but more recently councillors resisted my proposals to spread it wider. If you glance down at your speedometer when driving at 20mph through the High Street or our other residential streets, you might just consider that it is fast enough. It is not only safer, it also adds a less stressful sense of well-being to those with children, the frail and those on foot and cycle. A planned bid for county funding will drastically reduce the cost to Somersham taxpayers. If the scheme progresses residents will be consulted before any decision is made.

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20th August 2021

Envar application – planning advice

I am aware that many objections are being submitted. The best way is via the CCC website, but I know sometimes it takes time to get access. Email to planningdc@cambridgshire.gov.uk is an alternative.

I’ve been asked if the number of objections helps. The straight answer is no. It looks good and may alert planning committee members to the strength of feeling if they didn’t know already, but in reality it’s the number of relevant planning reasons which counts. Eg Impact on the landscape, traffic, noise, air quality etc. It is the EA who will ultimately decide if the emissions of the incinerator element complies with national standards and qualifies for an operating permit, however I think it is important to include that in the planning response (see advice below).

There has been criticism that Envar has not engaged with the public by holding an event or public presentation. They are not obliged to do so and therefore it is their choice. They have been willing to brief some local councils and answer questions.

Some have voiced frustration that they cannot see their objection come up on the planning portal under ‘comments’. The planning manager has issued the official explanation below. The statutory consultees referred to will include Environment Agency, Public Health, Environmental Health and local councils etc.

“Only statutory consultation responses are published on the website for planning applications being determined by the County Council, but all non-statutory responses received (which includes neighbour and public consultation responses) are considered and summarised into material planning reasons in the officer report. However, given the level of concern being raised on this application officers will look to publish a document after the closing date of the consultation period, and once they have reviewed their content, that will share all the points that have been raised. The full responses will also be provided to the Planning Committee for consideration before any decision is reached, so please be assured that it is not the number of representations made but the points raised that will be key – therefore even if only one person raises a key point this is considered with the same weight of 200 people saying the same thing.”

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August 16^th 2021

Envar planning application

There is considerable concern about this recent application, particularly the incinerator element. Local people are understandably worried about any potentially harmful emissions and whether we can be confident that safeguards will be sufficient. My view is that if this is a risk we can avoid, then we should do so. I will therefore be objecting to the proposal.

I have arranged for the consultation period to be extended from August 26^th to September 10^th so that the surrounding parish councils have more time to reach an informed view before consideration at meetings in early September. With Covid safety at meetings still a concern, I suggest you write to the parish council rather than attend. I have asked for a planning briefing note to be prepared, which is below. Comments should be made direct via the CCC website and a copy to your parish council.

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July 29^th 2021

A1123 – update on developments

With HCV traffic continuing to use the A1123 to traverse the centre of the county rather than use the A141/142 to the north or A14 to the south, our villages are suffering. Out of desperation, we successfully passed a motion at Council in February to investigate the potential to downgrade the road from A to B classification. Officers felt it would make little difference, but I was always of the view it would focus attention on the problems facing rural residents, even if it never happened.

Well at the Highways Committee on Tuesday, predictably the Lib Dems and Labour kicked it out. None of their councillors represent communities on the A1123 so it’s not high on their agenda.

It has however, as hoped, raised the issue, so now we are looking at what other measures could be introduced to help and parish councils are being consulted.

The HCV Working Group which I previously chaired was set up to review policy, thus directing HCVs away from villages where possible. Despite assurances that the Coalition of Indecision would continue this work, we haven’t met since April.

A planning application has been progressing through the system for some time. It is to construct irrigation lakes at Willow Hall Farm between Haddenham and Earith. The material to be removed from site is all due to be transported through Earith and Bluntisham on the A1123 to St Ives. This will increase lorry movements by 90 per day and was obviously not welcomed by roadside residents. I joined the parish councils in resisting this extra traffic. The Planning Committee considered the application this morning and it was passed. Lib Dem/Labour in favour, Conservatives against.

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July 16^th 2021

Wheatsheaf Crossroads

I had been working continuously on achieving safety improvements for many years. Last year we finally identified it as the priority for this year, with most of the funding in place. I approached colleagues at HDC who were supportive in allocating CIL funding, especially as it would ensure completion by Spring 2022. Once it was agreed to install traffic lights and confirmed that Conservatives at County would commit the rest of the funding, HDC allocated £500k. This agreement was completed in March. Work to acquire land and undertake construction design was due over the summer for a winter start date.

I asked for an update on progress and have been horrified to learn that the Lib Dem led Coalition ceased all work on the project back in May when they took over. Not only did they not have the guts to tell me, they seem oblivious to the urgent nature of road safety projects. They say they intend to review the options – including a staggered junction and make a decision in September. That’s an unnecessary delay of 6 months and could result in a less effective solution.

This delay by what has turned into a Coalition of Indecision could cost lives. I’m shocked and angry.

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June 2021

This has been a strange month

Having led at County Council on Communities, Partnerships, Libraries, Adult Skills, Coroners, Registration, Trading Standards, Voluntary Sector, Community Safety, Social mobility and latterly Covid response, I now find myself with a lot less to think about and unusually some time off.

I am still the lead Conservative member for those services, so will be using my experience to hold the Lib Dem Coalition to account. They have a long ‘to do’ list and are fast learning that many items were already in progress behind the scenes and others, they have no idea how to achieve or afford. I am grateful that they have been generous enough to acknowledge the progress I’ve been making transforming our work with communities and plan to continue along the same path.

Unfortunately we have a lot of frustrated officers across the council at the moment. They are excellent at delivering, but need certainty and a clear policy direction. That is still lacking and unless it changes quickly, I suspect some good officers will move elsewhere.

Meetings of all my nine parish councils keeps me occupied, with road maintenance and HCV traffic often on the agenda. I am also working behind the scenes to deal with some of the widespread flooding issues from last winter. Broughton was the worst affected, but there were pockets elsewhere. The County Council is investigating over 700 flooding incidents, so officers have their hands full.

I want Parkhall Road in Somersham resurfaced as it is so uneven. However, it needs extensive underground drainage work done first and this has now been delayed by more urgent drainage work elsewhere.

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May 2021

Post-election turmoil

Despite Conservatives returning by far the most councillors, we are slightly short of an overall majority. Lib Dems have formed a hotch-potch administration propped up by Labour and Independents (yes, independents !! clearly not!). Suddenly confronted with the challenges of running a county council, we now have headless chickens in charge. It would be amusing but for the fact that the residents of Cambridgeshire expect and deserve strong leadership and efficient services to continue.

Having declared they will ‘hit the ground running’ , most meetings in May and June have been cancelled, the Health Committee has been disbanded (yes, in the middle of a pandemic!) and they plan to move from monthly to quarterly meetings to reduce their workload. This is deeply troubling as it inevitably shifts some decision making onto officers and reduces the transparency of monthly decision making in public.

The Lib Dems keep referring to being ‘in power’, which is obviously their focus. It’s strange, because as a senior Conservative councillor with significant responsibilities over many years, I never once thought of myself as ‘in power’. I always felt I was here to serve.

Anyway, I no longer have those responsibilities. Having had an intense year leading on the County Covid Hub amongst other things, I will now be taking a back seat hoping the new ‘coalition of chaos’ soon gets its act together.

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May 2021

Community Outreach

One of the last tasks I undertook before the election was to take receipt of our refurbished mobile library vehicle – now repurposed as an outreach vehicle to take a variety of services into rural communities. ‘Cambridgeshire Local’ is our recently launched model of local service delivery aimed at focussing on the varied needs and priorities of each locality. We will use libraries and other local venues, with this vehicle forming a valuable addition.

It is seen here in Somersham with some of the fantastic Cambridgeshire Local team.

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8th May 2021

Election

A great result for me locally. Thank you very much to those of you who supported me. I look forward to another four years of hard work on behalf of residents in the nine villages I am proud to represent.

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29 April 2021

Election leaflet

My election leaflet was delivered last week – a little earlier than usual as an increasing number of us have registered to vote by postal ballot. Thanks to those who have contacted me to offer support. Some have also asked questions and I will share some answers below;

Wheatsheaf crossroads – yes this is what was previously known by many as Hensbys’ or Poo corner ! The house used to be the Wheatsheaf pub. Why not a roundabout ? Please see earlier blog post, but costing around £500k more, it would have taken a year longer to deliver and that £500k can be spent saving lives at another accident site in the county – of which unfortunately there are many.

Road Infrastructure – why don’t developers pay instead of needing to bid for Gov’t funding ? They do, but it’s a contribution that reflects the associated additional traffic – not enough to cover it all. They also have to provide 40% affordable housing, plus contribute towards whatever other services are deemed appropriate, such as schools, libraries etc, There is a limit to the total that can be demanded and don’t forget it can raise the price of housing, so a balance needs to be struck.

Traffic calming – always controversial. What, how and why ? This is always a local decision. Schemes have to be applied for and partly funded by the parish council. The PC also has to demonstrate public support and take responsibility. County Highways only advises on what is possible and the cost. Yes, we would all like the police to be more active on speed reduction, but unfortunately that is not under council control.

The Mayor and Combined Authority – why do we need this extra tier of Gov’t. ? Not everyone agrees we do, but as we have one, we need to make the best of it. The advantage is that it replaces some of the work and responsibility previously undertaken by Central Gov’t and allows funding decisions to be made more locally rather than by ministers in Whitehall.

Covid support – why have residents in some villages been supported more than others ? Generous financial support from Central Gov’t was channelled through District & County Councils – and has never run out. The County took responsibility for the Shielded population, writing to each one and offering assistance with a whole range of things so they could remain at home. The District organised help for all other vulnerable residents. This core assistance was available to all who asked. What additional support was available in each village was dependent on the parish council or voluntary groups, eg, Timebanks, Good Neighbour schemes or ad hoc volunteers. Additional charitable funding was made available to provide food or other essential items for those in difficulty. Most villages were very active as part of their social and community spirit, some were less so.

Somersham PC Council Tax – meeting and decision details are as always on the parish council website; www.somersham-pc.gov.uk

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2 April 2021

Road infrastructure.

I am currently involved in two work streams to address the capacity of local road infrastructure. I sit on the Steering Group for both projects.

The A141 Huntingdon Capacity Study is being conducted by the Combined Authority and potential bypass options to separate local from strategic traffic to the north of Huntingdon have recently been subject to public consultation.

The St Ives Area Transport Study has recently completed the first stage of its work and has demonstrated that there are no easy quick-win solutions that will solve the problems through minor changes to junctions or roundabouts. We do therefore need to consider a more strategic solution such as a bypass, and it’s that kind of option that the next stage of the transport study work will focus on. The Combined Authority has just released additional funding to allow this work to proceed at pace.

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28 March 2021

As chair of the County Council Communities & Partnerships Committee, I have had oversight of our community response to Covid. Last March we quickly formed a central Hub to co-ordinate and respond to the needs of all those who needed support. This was done in partnership with the district Hubs who took on most of the liaison with local volunteers.

We also set up two warehouse facilities at Alconbury Weald, generously provided by Urban & Civic. These were stocked with food, essential hygiene and household products, PPE, testing kits etc. Most of the sorting and distribution has been done by Red Cross volunteers and after 12 months of highly valued service, they are now standing down. On the last of my regular visits I was able to thank them.

The press release can be found here;

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/gratitude-to-red-cross-as-charity-leaves-alconbury-base

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19 March 2021

Heavy commercial vehicle traffic

This is a very thorny issue that I have been wrestling with since I became a county councillor back in 2006.

Hauliers pay huge sums in road tax and are a vital part of delivering the goods and services we all use. They also have an expectation to be able to use the whole road network in a way that is most efficient for them. This inevitably causes conflict with local residents and brings into question the suitability of certain routes. The long standing dilemmas for the County Council are;

• Under national legislation there is an expectation that any vehicle should have the right to travel along any road unless there is a compelling and demonstrable reason to restrict it.
• What would constitute just cause to restrict traffic, at what level and how would it be decided?
• Historically, the haulage industry objects and a prohibitively expensive legal wrangle ensues.
• The widespread signage required to give sufficient advanced warning of restrictions can be very costly
• Any traffic displaced has to go somewhere else – often unacceptable to others.
• One demand for restrictions is likely to result in many others.

I recently headed up a study into HCV movements through the ‘central diamond’. That is the A141/142 to the north, A14 to the south, with the A1123 running through the middle. Cameras were placed at all entry/exit points during summer 2019. The results of that study made it very clear there is no easy fix. What it has done is trigger a more strategic review of the whole county network and a complete rethink on how we deal with HCV traffic in consultation with the haulage industry. Picking off individual locations in isolation is not helpful. I have also been asked to chair that new study. Work is already underway and I will, of course, keep parish councils updated.

In the meantime, a particular concern is for Earith residents who live in such close proximity to the A1123. The possibility of changing classification to a ‘B’ road is under investigation and whilst not a magic solution in itself, will at least open up a useful conversation about what changes could be made.

Pidley-cum-Fenton is also a focus of attention as it forms a convenient short-cut for A1096 and A1123 St Ives traffic heading north onto the A141. The new HCV study will assess how villages such as this can exclude through traffic in a way that is acceptable to others.

Chatteris Road in Somersham, where I live, has suffered from the effects of quarry traffic since the mid 1960’s. Extensive sand and gravel reserves, whilst much in demand by the construction industry have locally caused high volumes of HCV traffic. The impending MG Ltd private haul road will provide relief for Colne, Earith and Bluntisham, whilst in Somersham we await the completion of restoration work at Colne Fern Quarry and Irrigation Lake construction at Holme Fen.

At least the end appears to be in sight.

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12 March 2021

Wheatsheaf crossroads

It’s been a long hard slog but we are finally on the way to making major improvements to this controversial junction. What has always proved difficult is that although very locally seen as a blackspot, the junction has for many years hovered between 30th and 50th in the countywide accident cluster site list. To save the most lives the priority is always to allocate funding to sites with the most fatalities and serious injuries. My attempts to have the speed limit reduced had failed due to lack of police support and the much improved signage I organised about 5 years ago didn’t appear to improve driver behaviour.

The breakthrough came in March 2019 when I managed to have the crossroads included in some Options Appraisal work that was being undertaken for sites elsewhere in the county. I had an idea of where I could obtain some funding, which provided the justification. By the time the tragic minibus accident occurred in November, engineers had already assessed 3 options and site survey work had been ordered.

• A staggered junction – potentially the cheapest. This would reduce the conflict of those emerging from Bluntisham and Woodhurst, but the problem of drivers misjudging the speed and distance of approaching traffic would remain.
• A roundabout – by far the most expensive and the slowest to deliver.
• Traffic lights – the only option that could potentially be built within the current highway footprint. This was the preferred option, even when it became clear that additional land could be required.

The survey work and traffic flow monitoring was essential to design direction lanes of sufficient capacity. Unfortunately the Anglian Water pipe installation at the start of 2020 disrupted traffic flow, followed by reduced traffic during Covid lockdown.

With layout design and feasibility sorted by late 2020 I just needed the funding streams to come together to cover the £1.2m cost. Two county council funding pots are providing £700k and a Community Infrastructure Levy application looks set to provide £500k from HDC. If all goes to plan we should be building by the end of this year.