Cambridgeshire Residents Rally to Fix 'War Zone' A1301 Road
Hundreds of residents in Cambridgeshire have united in a powerful campaign demanding immediate action to repair a severely deteriorated road, which they compare to a carriageway in a war zone. The A1301, a key commuter route, is plagued with deep potholes that pose significant safety risks to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.
Petition Gains Momentum for Proper Resurfacing
A petition initiated by Green Party members Miranda Fyfe and Lee Denison has rapidly amassed hundreds of signatures in just five days. The petition calls on Cambridgeshire County Council to undertake a full resurfacing of the road, rather than relying on temporary fill-in repairs that quickly fail. Residents argue that the current patchwork approach is ineffective and leaves hazardous defects unaddressed for extended periods.
Miranda Fyfe, a Green Party candidate for Shelford, has been monitoring the road's worsening condition for months. She highlighted one particular pothole that has expanded dramatically: 'One local pothole, which I first noticed in late October when it was only dinner-plate size, has now grown to be big enough for me to lie down in,' she said. 'That’s despite multiple online reports, plus I’d raised it with our Liberal Democrat councillors in November.'
Safety Concerns Escalate for Commuters
The petition specifically targets the stretch of the A1301 from Granham’s Road to the Hauxton Road junction, a busy commuter path used by cars, lorries, and cyclists. One resident expressed frustration: 'This road and cycle lane are a busy commuter path and as a resident of this road I am continually observing cars and lorries swerving to avoid potholes.' Another added: 'The road looks like a road that you would see in a war zone, and it is shocking that it has been in this state for so long.'
The deteriorating conditions have forced many to alter their travel habits. Some residents have stopped cycling altogether due to safety fears, while others are driving a six-mile diversion via Duxford to avoid this hazardous section. The petition emphasises that the lack of a segregated cycle lane compels cyclists into traffic, increasing the risk of accidents.
Council Response and Planned Works
In response to the outcry, a council spokesperson stated: 'Work to resurface a section of the A1301 is due to commence in April and finish in early May. Funding for this project was approved in March 2025.' However, they acknowledged that additional stretches of the road have deteriorated since then, which are not covered by the approved budget, causing ongoing concern. The council assured that the road is regularly inspected and potholes are repaired as identified.
Lee Denison, a Green Party candidate and Shelford resident, criticised the council's handling: 'The current appalling state of Cambridge Road is a failure of the Lib Dem-controlled county council to address the needs of Shelford area residents, and they must now fund the repair of this road.' The petition argues that planned resurfacing works between Granham’s Road and Station Road are insufficient to resolve the broader poor road conditions.
Residents continue to voice concerns that many potholes fail to meet the council’s threshold for emergency repair, leaving dangerous defects unattended. This community-led effort underscores the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure improvements to ensure the safety and well-being of all road users in Cambridgeshire.
