Resident fears council plans 'ripping heart out' of Cambridge housing estate
More than a year's worth of roadworks could take place from next year
A man who's lived on a Cambridge housing estate for more than 30 years says he's been left confused why roadworks there are set to last 57 weeks.
Cambridge City Council (CCC) said that's only an estimate, as it looks to dig up a section of Ekin Road in line with redevelopment plans for the area.
"Milton Road, Histon Road, all dug up, all new road surfaces, new pavements and at the same time, they kept access to every home, every day," Pete Hamblin, a resident on Ekin Road, said.
"Why can't we have that? It's not hard to ask."
In 2024, CCC passed plans to demolish most of the Ekin Road estate for 134 new homes.
Out of the 134 houses, 78 of these will be council homes and 56 will be privately-owned homes which will be a mix of one to five-bedroom homes.
Roadworks being done 'with a teaspoon'
The estate is being redeveloped by the Cambridge Investment Partnership, a joint venture between the council and The Hill Group.
During the roadworks, CCC plans to build a temporary car park off Wadloes Road for 57 weeks, but have not confirmed if the work will take place for this length of time.
Pete grew up on the estate before finding his current home.
"I'm not a young person anymore and the wife has issues with MS and being virtually blind; we don't want to be trudging miles or even yards to get to our car," Pete said.
"Over a year? Are they doing it (the roadworks) with a teaspoon?
"We're third generation of first homes in Ekin Road; it's ripping the heart out of the community."
Roadworks not to start before spring - council
Councillor Gerri Bird, cabinet member for housing at CCC, said any roadworks will not take place until spring 2027 at the earliest and that the road will not be closed for any longer than necessary.
'We will of course ensure emergency vehicles and our waste colleagues have access throughout," Cllr Bird added.
"Access on foot to homes will also always be available, meaning postal deliveries will be able to always access homes too."
Cllr Bird said the project team will work with residents to support them throughout the length of the roadworks.
Dr Maurice Chiodo, who runs the Save Ekin Road group, said the fight against the council has been “never ending” – with his home originally among those to be demolished.
He said he does not expect any roadworks to take place until later next year once a consultation with residents has been decided on by CCC.
Cllr Bird said Ekin Road will see several former council homes with "a range of serious maintenance, structural and building performance issues replaced by modern, energy efficient new homes that meet the standards our tenants deserve.
"(This is) including some five-bedroom council houses and four homes designed for wheelchair users."