Colin McCallum

Dear Mr Milburn, Regulation 28 - Response to Report to Prevent of Future Deaths - A1307 I refer to the above report which was received by the County Council on 21 May 2024. In this report you outlined concerns relating to the management of the risk of flooding and standing water at Hemingford on the A1307. The below response outlines the measures being taken by the County Council to address this risk. However, before providing the formal response to these matters, may I take this opportunity to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Colin McCallum. Background The A1307 (former A14) was de-trunked on 8 February 2024 and control of the road transferred from National Highways to Cambridgeshire County Council on that date. On gaining control of the road, the County Council instigated an immediate speed restriction of 40mph on the affected stretches of the A1307 and introduced local traffic management so that the second lane of the dual carriageway at Hemingford is closed when there is a risk of flooding. Investigation of existing drainage The Council has investigated the flooding and surface water issues on the A1307. On the carriageway verges, it was clear that the verge maintenance to allow water to run off the carriageway had not been undertaken before the road was de-trunked. The verges had therefore built up above the level of the road surface thus preventing water runoff. In the centre of the carriageway there is a French drain which is a substantial drainage feature which allows water to permeate through coarse gravel and stone, filtering out debris and detritus before it enters a large, perforated pipe that runs below the barrier support posts. It needs to be established whether the drainage pipe is damaged and needs to be replaced.

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Proposed Remediation A plan has been developed to remediate the issues that have been identified. Works are planned to commence in late July 2024 and should take 4 weeks to complete. The works will involve the removal and clearance of the existing French Drain in the centre of the carriageway. Having revealed the drainage pipe, it will then be established if it needs to be replaced or cleared. Once any necessary works to replace or clear the pipe have been undertaken, the coarse gravel and stones will be reinstated. At the same time as the works on the French Drain, the verges to the side of the carriageways will be skimmed and gulleys will be cleared. Ongoing maintenance and review. These works will be tested and monitored for effectiveness to ensure that the actions undertaken have been successful in removing the flooding and surface water risk. Only when the Council is satisfied that the measures taken have removed this risk will the Council be able to remove the 40mph speed limit. The A1307 will be subject to monthly inspections by the Highways Inspector and the Local Highways Officer for the area, as well as enhanced monitoring when we experience heavy rainfall events. Cambridgeshire County Council remains committed to providing the safest roads for all road users and to further improve and enhance sustainable transport for all.