A petition has been launched demanding a solution to flooding on a main route between Little Paxton and St Neots.

The Hunts Post: Little Paxton Floods.Little Paxton Floods. (Image: Archant)

A petition has been launched demanding a solution to flooding on a main route between Little Paxton and St Neots.

Little Paxton Parish Council wants improvements to Mill Lane to prevent the regular problem which leaves drivers frustrated and facing a diversion of about four miles to get from the village to the railway station or town centre.

Parish councillor David Rennie told The Hunts Post the issue, which was raised in a council meeting, did not just affect residents from Little Paxton, but everyone in the surrounding area.

The road, which crosses the River Great Ouse, is at risk of flooding after heavy rain or snow. While there are sluice gates under the bridge, the road layout has been designed with a dip in it to allow excess water across and prevent it ­backing up.

Although the road is not in the control of the parish council, Cllr Rennie said he hoped the outcome would be to raise the road level by the bridge, which was the main problem.

A raised footbridge ensures­ ­pedestrians are not cut off when the river is high.

Cllr Rennie said: “What I am hoping for is that we get enough signatures and that we move this issue forward. The more people who sign the petition, the stronger our voice will be to improve the road.”

Parish clerk Jenny Gellatly said: “We do not have a solution at the moment, we are just raising ­awareness that people are concerned about the flooding on the road.”

Cambridgeshire County Council – the highways authority – said it looked at putting up a new bridge in 2003 at a cost of £3-4million, and a similar project would cost double that now.

He added: “In these economic times, we do not have the money to afford that.”

CCC said it has introduced interactive signs which display the depth of the water at the time of a flood.

The petition will be available to sign at Little Paxton Village Hall on Saturday, July 5, from 9.30am-4pm, Paxfest on Saturday, July 12, and St Neots Market on Thursday, July 17. It will eventually be sent to CCC.