More than 150 Fens roads to be repaired as lower speed limits considered

Prickwillow Road near Ely is one of those named as needing repairs

More than 150 Fens roads will be repaired after plans were unanimously approved by councillors.

The peat soil underneath expanded and contracted as temperatures changed which caused the upper surface to buckle and break.

Cambridgeshire County Council said it would also consider weight restrictions and lower speed limits to limit damage.

The 25 most used roads, which included the B1096 at Benwick and B1104 in Isleham, would be assessed first.

'Rollercoaster ride'

The authority said it would spend £5m on medium term repairs.

But councillors also pressed for the need to work with other affected neighbouring authorities to lobby for additional funding from the government.

Members of the highways and transport committee agreed it was a significant issue and previous repairs did not always last for a long time.

However, they recognised that big agricultural vehicles needed to use the routes so they could access farms.

Councillor Alan Sharp, who represented Woodditton, described a journey on one damaged road at Prickwillow as like a 'rollercoaster ride.'

Councillor Lorna Dupre added the condition of the roads was one of the most important issues for residents in her Sutton division.

She said the poor conditions stemmed "from roads that weren't built for the type or volume of traffic that is now using them, the neglect for decades, and climate change and extreme weather."

Councillor Alex Beckett, chair of the highways and transport committee at the county council, said: "We will continue to do what we can locally to maintain and keep these roads safe.

"However we need to be aware this is a national issue, and we need support from our local MPs and government to tackle this issue properly."