Fed-up residents are at their wit’s end as never-ending roadworks turn the city into gridlock. Business owners are furious, commuters are stuck in gridlock, and even the council admits it’s a mess.
Our readers report once-quick 10-minute journey across town can now take a staggering hour – and it’s only getting worse. “It’s horrendous!” our readers complain. “The traffic is so bad in the mornings, it ruins our whole day before I even get started.”
With around 12 roads either shut down or controlled by temporary lights, the city is choking under the weight of endless works from Cambridgeshire County Council and UK Power Networks, with major power upgrades around Queen Edith’s Way and Coldham’s Lane adding to the chaos.
As if the endless roadworks weren’t enough, frustrated drivers are also battling Cambridge’s growing pothole problem. Commuters say roads are also filled with deep potholes turning already slow journeys into a bumpy nightmare.
Locals complain that while the council is busy digging up streets for new projects, basic road maintenance is being ignored. “It’s like driving through an obstacle course,” one driver fumed. “First, you’re stuck in traffic for ages, and then when you finally move, you have to dodge massive potholes!”
And if you thought it would all be over soon, think again. The council now admits some projects won’t be finished until 2027 – meaning at least TWO MORE YEARS of misery for drivers, businesses, and residents.
The council claims it’s trying to ease the pain by scheduling works around school holidays – but that’s little comfort for those who sit in traffic for hours every day. Meanwhile, UK Power Networks insists the work is “essential” to upgrade electricity supply for the city. But their apology won’t get people to work on time or save struggling businesses from taking a hit.
And it’s not just the delays that are frustrating people – reports of road rage incidents are on the rise, with drivers losing their tempers in traffic jams. Parents fear for their children’s safety as local Facebook groups report aggressive behaviour spilling onto the streets near schools, with kids witnessing shouting matches and reckless driving. If the gridlock continues, locals worry the city’s once-friendly streets could turn into battlegrounds of stress and frustration.
