A growing pothole crisis in Cambridgeshire has sparked political row after a local Labour campaigner launched a petition demanding urgent improvements to road maintenance contracts. Residents across the county are reporting more than 2,000 potholes each week, with complaints focusing not only on the scale of the problem but also on the quality of repairs.
Dr Tim Andrews, a Fulbourn parish councillor and Labour campaigner, has called on Cambridgeshire County Council to “get a grip” on its highways maintenance contract, arguing that weak oversight is leading to repeated failures.
“The number one issue on the doorstep is potholes,” said Andrews. “Residents complain about how dangerous the roads are and how poor repairs are. Many are fixed only temporarily and reopen within weeks.”
Andrews claims the council inspects just 5% of completed repairs, with around 10% of those failing to meet required standards. He argues that this indicates “thousands of potholes” require repeat work, driving up costs and frustration.
His petition calls for stronger contract management to ensure repairs are completed “right, first time, every time.”
The criticism comes amid controversy over the Liberal Democrat-led authority’s approach to road maintenance. Opponents say recent messaging suggests communities could take on minor repair responsibilities themselves — a move Labour has labelled “sticking plaster politics.”
Andrews described the idea as “extraordinary,” adding: “What residents want is faster, higher-quality repairs — not being asked to cover for contractor failures.”
Labour group leader on the council, Elisa Meschini, said the issue was not funding but how money is being spent. She pointed to £180 million allocated for road repairs, arguing that outcomes have not matched investment.
“It’s simply not good enough that potholes are repaired and then open up again,” she said. “Or that contractors fix one hole while ignoring others nearby.”
Meschini also highlighted delays to major resurfacing projects, including Campkin Road in Kings Hedges, Cambridge, which has reportedly been postponed again after already being delayed for two years.
She warned against increasing reliance on volunteers, noting residents already play a key role in reporting defects. “Now they want to extend repairs to volunteers as well. Where will it end?” she said.
Labour has renewed calls for highways maintenance to be brought back in-house, arguing this would give the council greater control over quality and accountability.
The debate follows national scrutiny of road conditions, with Cambridgeshire ranked near the bottom of the country in a Department for Transport assessment. The county received an “Amber” rating, narrowly avoiding a “Red” classification.
With £7.3 billion in government funding allocated nationally for road maintenance — including £2.1 billion tied to performance — pressure is mounting on local authorities to demonstrate effective use of resources.
As frustration grows among residents, Andrews said his petition is intended to force action. “It’s imperative the council improves both the speed and quality of repairs,” he said. “That’s what people expect — and deserve.”
The petition launched by Tim Andrews is here:
https://tinyurl.com/StopPotHoles
