Cambridgeshire County Council Monthly Report March 2026 – Cllr Luis Navarro
The County Council’s Assets & Procurement Committee has approved a new partnership with developer Prologis to support the next phase of growth at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
Cambridge Biomedical Campus Expansion
The proposal puts forward 67 acres of County Council–owned land to deliver:
- New space for life sciences research, development and innovation
- Co‑working laboratory facilities
- Learning and skills training spaces
- A dedicated skills and training centre
- Serviced apartments for key workers
- Offices for life science support companies
The plans also include investment in transport infrastructure, green space, and a community fund. Subject to planning approval, the project will generate a future commercial return that will help support essential council services and strategic priorities.
Two New Special Schools for Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire County Council has formally asked the Department for Education to continue with the delivery of two new special schools in:
- Gamlingay – Greensands Academy Gamlingay
- March – Lime Academy March
Both schools had previously been approved by the DfE and are expected to provide a much‑needed 270 new special school places across the county.
New Data-Led System to Tackle Poverty
The Council has agreed to procure a data-driven platform to better identify low‑income households who would benefit from income maximisation support, ensuring residents receive all financial entitlements and reducing avoidable household costs.
This follows the May 2025 recommendations of the Cambridgeshire Poverty Strategy Commission, which emphasised the importance of early intervention to prevent crisis, stabilise budgets, and strengthen long‑term financial resilience.
Evidence from South Cambridgeshire District Council, already using a similar system, shows strong results:
- Nearly 1,000 additional successful claims for residents in the last 12 months
- Worth over £500,000 in their first year alone
- Estimated £4 million lifetime value
- Systems elsewhere show a return of over £400 per £1 invested
The new platform will focus on early identification to prevent residents from falling into hardship, and reduce future demand for more costly crisis services.
Safe Disposal of Batteries
RECAP, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership, is urging residents to recycle batteries and battery‑powered electricals safely after a rise in fires caused by incorrectly discarded lithium‑ion batteries.
Recent local incidents include:
- A fire at Thalia’s Alconbury waste transfer station at New Year
- 13 bin lorry fires in Cambridgeshire over the past year
National figures show:
- Over 1.6 billion batteries were thrown away in 2023
- More than 1.1 billion were hidden inside everyday household items
- Waste‑related fires have risen 71% since 2022
Batteries should never go in general waste or mixed recycling. Residents are urged to:
- Use designated battery recycling points
- Tape damaged terminals
- Check local schemes
- Recycle at Household Recycling Centres, supermarkets, DIY stores, and any shop that sells batteries
More information:
https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/waste-and-recycling/battery-disposal
Pothole and Road Defect Update
The Council continues to respond to the unusually high number of road defects reported in the last two months. This is a national issue, with repair crews in high demand across the country.
For the week beginning 9 March, the County will deploy:
- 30 repair crews, including
- 4 teams working overnight (compared with the usual 7 daytime teams)
Challenges affecting repair efficiency include:
- Persistent wet weather reducing productivity and raising failure rates
- Limited road‑closure availability
- Stretched internal resources
- Increased time to respond to and mark defects
Despite funding constraints, the Council continues to add investment where Government funding falls short.
Roadworks Update
- The 24/7 closure of Twentypence Road (Wilburton–Cottenham) for Anglian Water works has been lifted three weeks earlier than scheduled.
- Works on the B1050 Earith Road, Willingham (Roseberry Holiday Park to the Willingham Co‑op) will run 9–27 March, with closures 8:00–17:00.
Peat Soil Roads – Parliamentary Update
Local MP Ian Sollom highlighted the serious challenges posed by Cambridgeshire’s peat soil roads in a recent Parliamentary question.
Peat-affected roads:
- Can cost up to four times more to repair
- Have significantly shorter repair lifespans
- Pose safety concerns for residents
The Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, acknowledged the unique geological challenges and committed to raising the issue with the Roads Minister.
2026/27 Highway Maintenance Programme
The draft programme for 2026/27 includes:
The programme includes works on Meadow Lane, The Lanes, and Unwins Lane.
Cllr Luis Navarro
County Councillor for Over, Northstowe, Longstanton, Oakington & Westwick
