Cambridgeshire County Council has appointed Winvic Construction Ltd to deliver an innovative trial aimed at tackling the long-standing challenges of maintaining roads built on peat soils.
The soil affected roads innovation trial will test new and more resilient ways of repairing highways affected by peat and weak soils – an issue that impacts a significant proportion of the county’s road network, including 97% of roads in Fenland.
The trial will take place on the B1099, Upwell Road in March, Cambridgeshire. A section of the road towards its junction with the B1098 (Sixteen Foot Bank) will provide an ideal location to trial a range of new engineering approaches in real-world conditions.
By working with Winvic Construction Ltd, the council aims to identify longer-lasting, more cost-effective solutions that reduce disruption for residents while improving the overall condition and reliability of the county’s roads.
Soil-affected roads are a significant issue in Cambridgeshire, with more than 1,800km of the network built on peat or similarly weak soils. These conditions cause roads to deteriorate more quickly, as the ground expands and contracts with changing weather, leading to cracks, uneven surfaces and potholes.
Repairing these roads is also currently considerably more expensive than standard maintenance, often requiring deeper reconstruction work to ensure long-term stability, and costing four to five times as much.
The trial will see a range of innovative repair techniques designed and delivered along sections of the B1099, including methods such as deep soil mixing, chemical stabilisation and the use of alternative lightweight materials to strengthen the road foundation.
Each treatment will be closely monitored over time, helping the council build a robust evidence base to guide future investment and maintenance decisions.
Cllr Alex Beckett, Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Cambridgeshire faces a unique challenge with soil-affected roads, particularly in Fenland, where ground conditions have a major impact on our highways and we’ll continue to call on government for a fairer funding model for highways, that reflects this challenge.
Nonetheless, this trial is an important step in finding smarter, longer-lasting solutions that ensure our rural communities are well connected for decades to come, and we’re pleased to be working with Winvic Construction Ltd to deliver it.”
The project is part of a wider effort to improve the resilience of Cambridgeshire’s highways while making better use of public funding.
By identifying more effective approaches, the council aims to reduce the need for repeat repairs, minimise disruption for residents and support more sustainable construction practices. The findings from the trial are also expected to contribute to the national conversation around how areas with unique ground conditions can be better supported.
A spokesperson for Winvic Construction Ltd said: “We’re pleased to be working with Cambridgeshire County Council on this important project. This trial provides a valuable opportunity to test innovative techniques that could improve the durability of roads and deliver long-term benefits for local communities.”
The project is being delivered through a £1.5 million grant from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA), approved at the Combined Authority's Highways and Transport Committee meeting on 4 March 2025.
The funding will support the trial of innovative engineering solutions and help identify more resilient, sustainable and cost-effective approaches to maintaining soil-affected roads.
Mayor Paul Bristow, said: "Good connectivity is vital to ensuring residents, businesses and visitors can travel around Cambridgeshire and Peterborough safely and efficiently.
"I welcome this trial, particularly in the Fenland areas where peat soils have resulted in damaged surfaces dangerous road conditions.
"By exploring innovative ways to strengthen roads and reduce future maintenance requirements, we can improve connectivity, deliver better value for taxpayers and support our transport infrastructure in the long term."
Following the award of the contract, the project will now move into the construction phase, expected to take place during summer 2026. This will be followed by a 12-month monitoring period to assess the performance of each treatment.
Find out more information about the trial on our website: Soil affected roads innovation trial
