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Drain improvements

We maintain 1,000 of kilometres of drains and over 108,000 gullies across the county on behalf of our communities.

The information here provides details on the planned repairs to drainage systems across the county.

The scale and type of work will vary depending on the individual scheme and the repair being undertaken.

Drain cover at the side of a road

Most of our work will be delivered either under a full road closure or local traffic management system, such as traffic lights. This will cause disruption to the road network while we are on site. We will keep disruption to a minimum and we appreciate your cooperation during these critical works.

As well as the large-scale drain work, planned in advance, we also continually do reactive work across the whole county in response to issues that arise. This includes cyclical gully maintenance. By doing this, we keep the drain network flowing and identify any issues that need further investigation and repair.

We also regularly empty and clean gullies and pipes when they become blocked. We do this when we have identified a problem needing to be fixed through our routine inspections or when an issue is reported by a member of the public.

Planned work by district

Updates are provided monthly by officers. Expand the district to see details of when and where the work will take place, and details of road closures and diversion routes.

Whilst we aim to be as accurate as possible with the below times and dates, there are instances where these may change at short notice.

Drainage projects

Planned works include repairs to existing drainage pipe and laying sections of new pipe. Plus installing new drainage systems, gullies, and manholes. A project has different phases, these are outlined below and referenced on the works table:

Phase 1

  • Initial investigation: a desktop study and gathering information about the site. Includes jetting and CCTV survey of the drainage system to identify flood risks.
  • First design: concept and remedial works plan based on investigation outcomes.

Phase 2

  • Targeted investigation: on-site trial holes and surveys. Includes talking to our contractor for early input and feedback.
  • Detailed design: produce plan that will be used in construction, based on all investigation outcomes.

Phase 3

  • Construction: undertake the work as per the design. Changes may be required to design once on site.
Parish / Town Road Start date Duration Project phase
Cambridge Burnside To be confirmed    

Cyclical drainage work

Our cyclical drainage work is undertaken every other year. Work involves jetting, emptying, and cleaning all gullies and drains.

2026-2027 programmes

Work information will be added here.

Parish / Town Road Start Date Duration Actual completion date
       

Drainage projects

Planned works include repairs to existing drainage pipe and laying sections of new pipe. Plus installing new drainage systems, gullies, and manholes. A project has different phases, these are outlined below and referenced on the works table:

Phase 1

  • Initial investigation: a desktop study and gathering information about the site. Includes jetting and CCTV survey of the drainage system to identify flood risks.
  • First design: concept and remedial works plan based on investigation outcomes.

Phase 2

  • Targeted investigation: on-site trial holes and surveys. Includes talking to our contractor for early input and feedback.
  • Detailed design: produce plan that will be used in construction, based on all investigation outcomes.

Phase 3

  • Construction: undertake the work as per the design. Changes may be required to design once on site.
Parish / Town Road Start date Duration Project phase
Chettisham Lynn Road To be confirmed    

Cyclical drainage work

Our cyclical drainage work is undertaken every other year. Work involves jetting, emptying, and cleaning all gullies and drains.

2026-2027 programme

Work information will be added here.

Parish / Town Road Start Date Duration Actual completion date
       

Drainage grips

We make cuts into roadside verges so surface water can run off the road into a ditch. The cuts are called drainage grips.

2026-2027 programme

Work information will be added here.

Parish / Town Road Extent of work Start date Actual completion date
         

Drainage projects

Planned works include repairs to existing drainage pipe and laying sections of new pipe. Plus installing new drainage systems, gullies, and manholes. A project has different phases, these are outlined below and referenced on the works table:

Phase 1

  • Initial investigation: a desktop study and gathering information about the site. Includes jetting and CCTV survey of the drainage system to identify flood risks.
  • First design: concept and remedial works plan based on investigation outcomes.

Phase 2

  • Targeted investigation: on-site trial holes and surveys. Includes talking to our contractor for early input and feedback.
  • Detailed design: produce plan that will be used in construction, based on all investigation outcomes.

Phase 3

  • Construction: undertake the work as per the design. Changes may be required to design once on site.
Parish / Town Road Start date Duration Project phase
Parson Drove Fen Road To be confirmed   Phase 2 targeted investigation and detailed design
Chatteris Eden Crescent To be confirmed   Phase 2 targeted investigation and detailed design

Cyclical drainage work

Our cyclical drainage work is undertaken every other year. Work involves jetting, emptying, and cleaning all gullies and drains.

2026-2027 programme

Parish / Town Road Start Date Duration Actual completion date
Wimblington 19 May 2025 6.5 days 27 May 2025

Drainage grips

We make cuts into roadside verges so surface water can run off the road into a ditch. The cuts are called drainage grips.

2026-2027 programme

Work information will be added here.

Parish / Town Road Extent of work Start date Actual completion date
         

Drainage projects

Planned works include repairs to existing drainage pipe and laying sections of new pipe. Plus installing new drainage systems, gullies, and manholes. A project has different phases, these are outlined below and referenced on the works table:

Phase 1

  • Initial investigation: a desktop study and gathering information about the site. Includes jetting and CCTV survey of the drainage system to identify flood risks.
  • First design: concept and remedial works plan based on investigation outcomes.

Phase 2

  • Targeted investigation: on-site trial holes and surveys. Includes talking to our contractor for early input and feedback.
  • Detailed design: produce plan that will be used in construction, based on all investigation outcomes.

Phase 3

  • Construction: undertake the work as per the design. Changes may be required to design once on site.
Parish / Town Road Start date Duration Project phase
Stilton North Street and High Street 5 January 2026 18 weeks. Working hours between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday Phase 3 construction
Chesterton Oundle Road 16 March 2026 9 weeks. Working hours between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday Phase 3 construction
Fenstanton Greenfields 27 April 2026 1 week. Working hours between 8am and 5pm. Phase 2 targeted investigation and detailed design
Somersham Parkhall Road 26 May 2026 3 days. Working hours between 9.30am and 3.30pm. Phase 2 targeted investigation and detailed design
Somersham Parkhall Road 28 July 2026 4 weeks. Working hours between 7am and 7pm. Phase 3 construction
Brampton Buckden Road To be confirmed   Phase 2 targeted investigation and detailed design
Fenstanton Manor Drive and Hall Green Lane To be confirmed   Phase 2 targeted investigation and detailed design
Hemingford Abbots Various To be confirmed   Phase 2 targeted investigation and detailed design
Needingworth Hawkes Lane To be confirmed   Phase 2 targeted investigation and detailed design
Yaxley Broadway To be confirmed   Phase 2 targeted investigation and detailed design
Farcet Cross Street To be confirmed    
Great Gransden West Street To be confirmed    
Ramsey Hollow Lane To be confirmed    
Waresley Gamlingay Road To be confirmed    

Cyclical drainage work

Our cyclical drainage work is undertaken every other year. Work involves jetting, emptying, and cleaning all gullies and drains.

2026-2027 programme

Work information will be added here.

Parish / Town Road Start Date Duration Actual completion date
       

Drainage grips

We make cuts into roadside verges so surface water can run off the road into a ditch. The cuts are called drainage grips.

2026-2027 programme

Work information will be added here.

Parish / Town Road Extent of work Start date Actual completion date
         

Drainage projects

Planned works include repairs to existing drainage pipe and laying sections of new pipe. Plus installing new drainage systems, gullies, and manholes. A project has different phases, these are outlined below and referenced on the works table:

Phase 1

  • Initial investigation: a desktop study and gathering information about the site. Includes jetting and CCTV survey of the drainage system to identify flood risks.
  • First design: concept and remedial works plan based on investigation outcomes.

Phase 2

  • Targeted investigation: on-site trial holes and surveys. Includes talking to our contractor for early input and feedback.
  • Detailed design: produce plan that will be used in construction, based on all investigation outcomes.

Phase 3

  • Construction: undertake the work as per the design. Changes may be required to design once on site.
Parish / Town Road Start date Duration Project phase
Fulbourn Station Road To be confirmed   Phase 2 targeted investigation and detailed design
Great Wilbraham Church Street To be confirmed   Phase 2 targeted investigation and detailed design
Linton High Street To be confirmed   Phase 3 construction
Linton Lambs Fair Court To be confirmed   Phase 3 construction
Little Wilbraham High Street To be confirmed   Phase 2 targeted investigation and detailed design
Waterbeach Chapel Street To be confirmed   Phase 2 targeted investigation and detailed design
Bartlow Ashden Road  To be confirmed    
Fowlmere Pipers Close To be confirmed    

Cyclical drainage work

Our cyclical drainage work is undertaken every other year. Work involves jetting, emptying, and cleaning all gullies and drains.

2026-2027 programme

Work information will be added here.

Parish / Town Road Start Date Duration Actual completion date
       

Drainage grips

We make cuts into roadside verges so surface water can run off the road into a ditch. The cuts are called drainage grips.

2026-2027 programme

Work information will be added here.

Parish / Town Road Extent of work Start date Actual completion date
         

Roadwork and traffic information

Our interactive map gives you more detail on the latest roadworks, road closures and diversions. Works listed on this page are included.

Visit our road and traffic information page to access the map and instructions on how to use. Details of upcoming roadworks in PDF format are also provided.

The map uses data from Causeway one.network. Enter your road name and see the types of work happening today or in the next two weeks, three or twelve months.

You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) for updates on where we are working - @Cambs_Traffic

Can't find what you are looking for?

If you are unable to find a scheme on this page, it may be part of our reactive or cyclical maintenance programmes.

These works are more area based and include gully cleansing, road patching and public rights of way maintenance.

Highway Capital Maintenance Programme 2025 to 2026696KB–pdf
Size: 696KBFile format: pdf
Capital Highway Maintenance Programme 2026 to 20271.96MB–pdf
Size: 1.96MBFile format: pdf

You can find out more about the county-wide road resurfacing programme on our Road improvements page.

FAQ

Please read through our frequently asked questions. If you are unable to find the answer please contact us.

The work area is the section of the road where our operatives will be working. The road closure area often extends beyond this to manage through traffic and divert it on to an alternative route. This helps us do the work quickly and efficiently, while keeping residents, road users and the workforce safe. 

If you receive information notifying you about a road closure, we will include a map which indicates both the work and road closure areas if these are different.

As the work involves heavy plant and equipment, we cannot guarantee you will be able to access your property without having to wait or access via the other end of the works.

If you normally drive into or out of the work area during the hours when the closure is in place, we may ask you to please make alternative arrangements.

We will often phase works to try to reduce the disruption this can cause, and the site team will be available to communicate with residents and businesses regarding this.

We will always maintain access to properties if it is safe to do so. Delays will sometimes be unavoidable when we must move machinery or equipment out of the way. We thank you for your patience and cooperation while this is done.

Work is phased to allow property access from at least one end of the road. Access may differ, depending on where we are working.

We place advance warning signs at the starting points of our works at least 14 days before the work starts.

We will inform residents and businesses which are located with the area of work, via letter or leaflet drop, at least 14 days in advance of work starting, wherever possible.

We try to keep noise to a minimum, and plan noisier working activities for earlier on in shifts where we are working at night in residential areas. However, the work is being delivered using heavy plant and machinery and this will cause noise and disruption whilst the work is on site, especially where we are working overnight. To try to limit this we:

  • Consider alternative ways of working, for example during the day, instead of night, when working in residential areas at the weekend.
  • Working reduced hours overnight. This approach often means a longer delivery programme, whereas working longer shifts will result in the work being completed quicker.
  • Working during the day whenever we can to reduce costs and disruption to residents during unsociable hours.

Contact

To report an issue with a drain or gully, please visit our report a highways fault page.

If you have any queries or require any additional information please complete our make an enquiry online form.

Capital maintenance programme

For more information on the workstreams covered please visit our capital maintenance programme page. 

How we are improving highways maintenance

Over the past two years, we have made the biggest investment in the highways network in over a decade, and it is important to show you where your money is spent.

Visit how we are improving highways maintenance. This page outlines our priorities, what improvements were made in 2024/25, and funding allocation for 2025/26.