Fears potential estate work could 'trap' residents

One of the last residents on a Cambridge housing estate due for redevelopment said potential road closures could leave his disabled wife "trapped".

Cambridge City Council approved the demolition of the Ekin Road estate in 2024. Now planning documents suggest remaining residents could lose access to their driveways while work takes place for 57 weeks.

A temporary car park is proposed off Wadloes Road, but Peter Hamblin, 70, fears his wife, who has multiple sclerosis, will be left "trapped in the house".

Gerri Bird, Labour councillor and cabinet member for housing, said the time-scale was an "initial estimate" not a "confirmed road closure", and the road would only be closed when essential.

However, Hamblin said the estimated time was "ludicrous," adding that his wife is going blind and cannot move for more than a few paces.

He said: "How are you going to get a fire engine down the street? They say they have got it sorted, but won't give us any details."

The estate is being redeveloped by the Cambridge Investment Partnership, a joint venture between the council and The Hill Group. Plans for 134 new homes were submitted earlier this year.

Bird said: "We will only close the road when essential and not for any longer than is necessary to complete the works.

"We will of course ensure emergency vehicles and our waste colleagues have access throughout.

"Access on foot to homes will also be available at all times, meaning postal deliveries will be able to access homes too."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Dr Maurice Chiodo, who runs the Save Ekin Road Campaign Group said it was an insane amount of time to close the road.

The 42-year-old said: "We appreciate at some point the road needs to be closed in some bits, we just want a reasonable level of disruption."

"It's not necessary to shut the road for a year; we have been through enough."

The council's planning committee will discuss the proposal on Wednesday.

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