November 2024

5 Buckden Roundabout November 2024 From your District Councillor Dear Residents and Parish Councillors, Flooding Update As I write this report, the rain has abated, and we are in the process of clearing up after the recent flooding. The marina was hardest hit, which is understandable given that the flood- water at St Neots reached an all - time high. Buckden ’ s commu- nity response has been commendable, particularly with the flood waters remaining longer and with higher flow rates that we are used to. Let ’ s remain vigilant and hope that flooding so early in the season is not a sign of worse to come. As your district councillor, I was invited to be part of the emer- gency response process. I was able to direct HDC and other services to check on the wellbeing of residents at the marina during the flood event. I understand that an HDC boat was used to ferry a resident out of the marina for an urgent hospi- tal appointment. Overall, I am pleased to report that we continue to show im- provement in our ability to respond to flooding since the 2020 events, though there is always room for further enhancement. I have requested better access to forecast levels and infor- mation to better inform residents of anticipated peaks and drops in river flood levels. On a proactive note, I recently met with a member of the Al- conbury Flood Group to share ideas, to see what can be done from a community perspective and to discuss the challenges at Buckden and Southoe. It appears that there are some lessons that we can learn from Alconbury. One suggestion that I will be looking at is Hydro - Brake technology. Combining Hydro - Brake technology with storage reservoirs could creates a robust sys- tem for managing water flow to the west of Buckden and could mitigate flood risks. In summary, I think that after talking to the Alconbury Flood Group there is more that can be done to solve our flooding challenges if we are more active as a community and are pro- vided with more knowledge of potential solutions. Residents or councillors who wish to protect the village from flooding, who have expertise in proactive flood prevention or simply want to help out during a flood event, please contact the Parish Clerk and ask to join Buckden ’ s Flood Group. National Cycle Network – Proposed Grafham to Brampton Quiet Way Pilot Update First and foremost, nothing has been decided yet, and nothing will be decided until the local communities have been properly engaged. This project must be delivered with the local commu- nities, not to them. I note that this is a highly emotive subject for some residents. By way of background, Sustrans has been delivering their Paths for Everyone programme for several years, with funding direct- ly from the Department for Transport / Active Travel England. This programme aims to improve the National Cycle Network, which the Brampton to Grafham road is part of - a network where families can enjoy bike rides away from motor traffic, where those who are less mobile can go at their own pace, and where walkers and horse riders can travel in a safer environ- ment. Where the network cannot be completely off - road, the on - road sections must be lightly trafficked, with low traffic speeds and flows. Following detailed analysis of the National Cycle Network across Cambridgeshire, and in collaboration with Cambridge- shire County Council and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority colleagues, the route between Grafham and Brampton was prioritised. From independent pre - monitoring of Brampton Road (conducted during the school summer holidays), we know that currently only 1% of people walking and cycling are children (under 18), only 2% are over 65, and only 14% are women. Sustrans want to support these users to feel comfortable using the National Cycle Network. Top speeds were recorded in ex- cess of 44mph, which fails the Sustrans quality standard for this road to be part of the National Cycle Network. Further monitoring is currently being carried out while Bramp- ton Road is closed by Network Rail, and additional monitoring will take place during term time once the bridge reopens. This will enable Sustrans to assess potential impacts on traffic flows and understand the effects on adjacent and surrounding roads. While a physical closure is a possible option, there are many others, all of which will be considered, and they will listen to all residents. Sustrans will conduct comprehensive ‘ co - design ’ sessions with all the local communities surrounding this route to shape the process and help decide any final interventions. They want to hear concerns, worries, barriers to changing how you travel, and what improvements might make a positive difference. Huntingdonshire District Council Seeks Community Input for the Local Plan Engagement 2024 Huntingdonshire District Council is calling on the community to participate in the Local Plan Engagement 2024, a crucial con- sultation process, running from 18th September to 27th No- vember, that will shape the future of Huntingdonshire. The Local Plan is a strategic document that outlines the vision and policy framework for sustainable development across the district. It plays a pivotal role in addressing key issues such as climate change, housing affordability, infrastructure, flooding, and employment and identifies key areas for development, specifying the nature of that development, and establishing the policies by which planning applications are assessed. The goal of the Local Plan is to ensure that Huntingdonshire develops sustainably, meeting the needs of the current com- munity without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Huntingdonshire District Council is currently seeking feedback on several key documents that are essential to the plan - making process. These include: • Further Options and Issues Paper 2024: This document (Continued on page 12)