Category: Cambridgeshire

The weather is forecast to be up to 27C this weekend, so why not head out to the beach?Aldeburgh in Suffolk is a great place for a seaside trip(Image: Cambridge News)It was a wet and miserable start to the week, but this appears to have made way for a scorching bank holiday weekend. The weather forecast says that parts of Cambridgeshire will be 25C to 27C between Saturday (May 23) and Monday (May 25).With such nice weather, a beach trip may be on your mind. One place people in Cambridgeshire may want to venture to, is Aldeburgh Beach in Suffolk.Only an hour and 48-minute drive from Cambridge, the beach has been called a “favourite day out to the seaside” by The Suffolk Coast. The beach is mainly shingle and pebbles, but it is backed by a pretty promenade and charming pastel-coloured houses.Aldeburgh in Suffolk(Image: Cambridge News)The beach is popular for its food on offer, especially its fish and chips. Aldeburgh Fish and Chips is regarded as one of the best fish and chip shops in Britain. It has been providing seaside goers with their fish and chip fix since 1967.Other great food on offer in Aldeburgh includes a handy kiosk at Moot Hall, which sells drinks, snacks and of course ice creams. Nearby to Aldeburgh Fish and Chip shop there is also a range of delis and cafes to try.Over the years, Aldeburgh has become a favourite place for many. It was once the favourite beach of composer Benjamin Britten, who lived in the town for some time.It’s said that he enjoyed walking along the beach from Aldeburgh to Thorpeness most days. Today, there is a tribute to him on the beach in the form of a scallop sculpture, created by artist Maggi Hambling.The beach is dog friendly, however dogs are not allowed on it between May and September.

Peterborough City Council’s proposals to introduce bus gates on Apollo Avenue and Bellona Drive in Cardea have caused a heated debate among Stanground residentsDavid Prince and Cambridgeshire Live readers05:39, 23 May 2026Proposed new bus gates may see traffic restrictions on Apollo Avenue in Cardea(Image: Google)Readers of CambridgeshireLive have been discussing proposals for new bus gates and additional camera enforcement. Numerous comments centre on penalties, signage, residential access, and whether the measures will improve air quality and traffic flow. Some support the changes, while others argue they will complicate everyday journeys.Vehicle and motorcycle access to residential streets within a Stanground estate are set to face restrictions, according to proposals. Plans published by Peterborough City Council reveal that bus gates are to be introduced on both Apollo Avenue and Bellona Drive in Cardea.A bus gate is a brief, camera-monitored stretch of road limited to buses, cyclists, and authorised vehicles such as taxis. These gates are intended to create ‘shortcuts’ for public transport by preventing general traffic from passing through, with the aim of reducing congestion and enhancing air quality.The proposals state: “The effect of this Order is to restrict the use of the following roads to Local Buses, Taxis and Pedal Cycles, at all times: Apollo Avenue from its junction with Peterborough Road to a point 30m east of that junction, Bellona Drive between the roundabout at its junction with Whittlesey Road and its junction with Constantine Drive.”One reader, Freddly quotes: “The council said: ‘Offending motorists will receive a warning notice first within six months of the enforcement commencing.’ Why? If they don’t understand the signs, or they think they can get away with it, they need to be fined from day 1. They are a liability to the rest of us, and are concerned only with themselves.”Skipper says: “Cannot blame them for acting on principle to object to yet more of their roads being closed to them.”Rhodabike quotes: ” ‘In the hope that congestion will be reduced and air quality improved.’ So it’s not even based on facts, research or reasoning, but just a ‘hope’. In other words, pure fantasy.”Whynot2 asks: “Why are they a liability to you? Have you ever been to Cardea? Have you ever been to Stanground? People have been using that road for a while now, and sometimes a habit is hard to break, so don’t say that they are only concerned about themselves if you don’t know the area!”Calumen Nomen says: “If they fix cameras as quickly as they fix potholes, we’ve got nothing to worry about :)”Garyblowpants writes: “We need many more of these proven schemes throughout the country! Reducing congestion, improving air quality, and reducing jams. It’s what everyone wants. Ignore the small but vocal pro-congestion lobby.”While over on our Facebook page, Greg B comments: “How is it environmentally friendly to make numerous cars drive around to get off the estate, when the road they need is on the other side of a gate? And Peterborough calls itself an environmental capital?”Viki S states: “People who live there and are visiting need to access, surely?”Barbara E writes: “I understand bus gates and appreciate them in some areas. However, it would be nice if they were able to be used in the areas by those who live directly adjacent to them and are most affected by them. For example, in Cambridge, the bus gate by Christ’s Pieces and New Square. Why can’t that be accessed by Kite neighbourhood residents who have parking passes to park in that area (because they LIVE there)? Instead, they are forced to deal with going around, all the hills and traffic every day. Additionally, do all bus gates need to be 24-hour enforced when the buses here do not even run 24 hours?”Do you agree with the proposed bus gate plans? Comment below of HERE to join in the conversation.

The man told the victim, his former partner, that if he was a woman, he would have killed herRichard Chipperfield, 39(Image: Cambridgeshire Police)A man locked his former partner inside their home and held a pillow over her face so she couldn’t breathe. Police were called to the home of Richard Chipperfield, 39, on March 15, 2025, after a mental health helpline received a call from his former partner.She said that he had locked her inside their caravan and prevented her from leaving. With the victim’s consent, the police were called after she added that Chipperfield had become controlling in recent months, monitoring her phone and following her to the toilet.In February 2025, Chipperfield held a pillow over his partner’s face so she couldn’t breathe. He told her that if he was a woman, he would have killed her.At Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday, May 21, Chipperfield, of Wood Lane in Ramsey, was jailed for two years and eight months after admitting to false imprisonment and intentional strangulation.DC Aaron Fletcher, who investigated, said: “I’d like to praise the victim for her bravery in coming forward and confiding in police about her partner’s behaviour. Chipperfield caused her to live her life in fear, after he trapped her inside the home they shared together, and threatened her if she didn’t comply with his orders.“This sentence reflects the seriousness of Chipperfield’s actions and sends a clear message that violence, abuse, and controlling behaviour will not be tolerated in our county.”

“Initial feedback from voters using the hubs was very positive,” said a council spokesperson.Many welcomed “the additional flexibility and convenience offered by early voting” they added.”Voters particularly highlighted the ease of access and the opportunity to vote at a time that better suited their work or holiday commitments.”They added that the Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) would now undertake a formal evaluation of the pilot. “The findings of this national evaluation are expected to be published over the summer. Further statistics and updates will be shared once the national evaluation results are available.”

The bank holiday is forecast to be a very sunny one for CambridgeshireCambridgeshire parks and pubs are likely to be packed this weekend thanks to the warm weather(Image: PA)The bank holiday is set to be a hot one with temperatures reaching highs of 31 degrees in certain parts of Cambridgeshire, according to BBC Weather. The good weather will start tomorrow (Friday, May 22) with it expected to be dry “with plenty of sunshine”.The temperature is expected to reach highs of 28 degrees in Cambridge and Ely and 27 degrees in Peterborough. The county could see some rain in the morning on Saturday, May 23, but it should clear up before the afternoon with the temperature reaching 27 degrees.Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25, are expected to be quite similar with lots of sunshine. The temperature will reach highs of 29 degrees on Sunday and will be even hotter on Monday with it reaching 31 degrees in Cambridge and Ely and 29 degrees in Peterborough.BBC Weather said: “Saturday may see the odd shower in the morning locally, but it will turn drier in the afternoon with warm sunshine. Sunday and Monday will be very warm, or even hot, with plenty of sunshine as high pressure remains in control.”The good weather is set to continue throughout next week with plenty of sunshine and temperatures staying above 25 degrees for most of the week. The temperatures are currently forecast to drop to around 23 degrees in Cambridge and Ely and 21 degrees in Peterborough on Saturday, May 30.To get more news and top stories delivered directly to your phone, join our new WhatsApp community. Click this link to receive your daily dose of CambridgeshireLive content.We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .

An outline planning application has been submitted to build up to 138 homes in a Cambridgeshire villageLand south of St Neots Road in HardwickPlans to build up to 138 homes in Hardwick have faced backlash from people living near the proposed development site. Neighbours have shared concerns that the new homes would cause “irreversible harm” to the village and its community.The homes are proposed to be built on land south of St Neots Road in Hardwick. Of the 138 homes, 40% are proposed to be made available as affordable housing. The proposals also seek to develop a new site access, internal access roads, parking, drainage, and public open space.Developer Pigeon said its proposals would aim to create an “inclusive community through the provision of a variety of tenures and dwelling types to suit all stages of life” and a “sustainable movement strategy where walking and cycling opportunities are integrated into the heart of the development”.The planning statement says: “The proposals provide for a high-quality, landscape design-led, sustainable scheme including the provision of up to 138 new homes, comprising both market and affordable homes, along with public open space, biodiversity enhancements and associated infrastructure.”The outline planning application has seen local backlash, with more than 15 objections lodged so far. One objector said: “The A428 junctions are already under pressure, and additional traffic will worsen queueing and accident risk. The proposal does not demonstrate that the increase in traffic, altered flow and the effect on junction function have no adverse impact on safety and capacity.”The objector also highlighted that Hardwick is a rural village with a “distinct character defined by open green spaces, low-density housing, and a strong sense of community”. They added: “The proposed development is overdevelopment, inconsistent with the village’s scale and form, and it erodes the rural setting and landscape character, and does not respect local character or protect the countryside.”The proposal would fundamentally alter the village’s identity.” They said “the application should be refused” because it would “result in significant and irreversible harm to the village and its community”.Another concerned resident said that the proposed access road into the new development would create an “increase in vehicular traffic”. They said this would “cause congestion” and “more importantly at the junction of the road joining the main curved road to the road-about”.A similar concern was raised by another objector. They said that the western roundabouts, which serve as a key access point for Hardwick and nearby villages via St Neots Road, “already experience substantial congestion, particularly during peak commuting hours”.They said the development would “introduce a significant increase in vehicle movements onto a road network that already appears close to capacity”. They added that local services “already appear to be under considerable pressure” and up to 138 homes could “significantly increase demand on already stretched services without clear evidence that the necessary supporting infrastructure improvements will be delivered”.Hardwick itself does not have a GP surgery. Residents use nearby surgeries including in Comberton and Bourn.

Bayliss lied to the victim’s workplace and said she had stolen drugs and was involved in money laundering.Christopher Bayliss stalked and blackmailed his former partner after finding out she was starting a new relationship(Image: Cambridgeshire Police)A man who said he would ensure his victim “doesn’t have another relationship” has been jailed. Christopher Bayliss, 44, of Caroline Hart Walk, Cambridge, threatened to kill himself after finding out his former partner had started dating again.He hacked into her dating and social media accounts with his behaviour getting worse when she started a new relationship. On November 15, he showed up at the victim’s home and demanded money.The victim initially refused but later sent £25 to make him leave. At around 4am the following day, he returned and banged on the door threatening to kill himself.In two days, Bayliss sent 92 WhatsApp messages, left 71 voicemails, and made 32 unanswered calls. He also contacted the victim’s daughter and told her it was her mother’s fault that he turned to drugs and said he would “make sure she doesn’t have another relationship to destroy another man”.In another call, Bayliss asked the daughter to pass the phone to her mum. He then told her “you need to get the dog; I am going to kill myself” and threatened to destroy her job “so she doesn’t have her friends”.He went on to blackmail the victim and demanded £50, threatening to contact her employer with false allegations that she had been stealing cash and drugs. He later emailed her workplace and claimed she had stolen drugs and was involved in money laundering.In four days at the end of November, Bayliss sent over 200 messages and made more than 60 calls and voice messages to the victim. On December 2, he sent a message that he was monitoring her movements and said he assumed she had been suspended as he could see she was not at work.The victim had left her home and had been staying elsewhere, in fear for her own safety, and parked her car out of sight so he couldn’t find her. Bayliss was arrested later that day.Bayliss was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison after pleading guilty to stalking involving serious alarm or distress, harassment without violence, and blackmail at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday, May 14. A charge of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship, along with a further stalking offence, was ordered to lie on file.He was also made subject to a ten-year restraining order.Detective Constable Abbie Ellis, who investigated, said: “Bayliss’ behaviour was relentless, manipulative and deeply distressing for the victim and her family. He used threats, intimidation and harassment in an attempt to control her life even after their relationship had ended.“Stalking is a serious offence that can have a devastating impact on victims. I would encourage anyone experiencing similar behaviour to report it to police – you will be taken seriously and supported.”

The work is likely to cause delaysThe road will be closed (stock image)(Image: ChronicleLive)Overnight roadworks along a Cambridgeshire street are set to cause nearly four weeks of disruption for motorists. The roadworks will take place on Norwich Road in Wisbech from May 18 between the hours of 8pm and 6am.The road will be closed to all motor vehicles so that resurfacing works can be carried out. The work is set to be completed by June 13. According to Cambridgeshire County Council’s notice of the closure, the roadworks are ‘likely’ to cause delays.Motorists are advised to follow diversion routes and allow extra time for journeys during the closure period. Drivers are advised to take a diversion route via Lynn Road that takes you through to Churchill Road, according to traffic monitoring system one.network.A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire County Council’s Traffic Management Centre said: “Norwich Road, Wisbech will be closed to all motor vehicles from the 18th May until the 13th June between the hours of 8pm and 6am nightly for works.”

A council faces calls for a new recycling centre to end a “ridiculous” agreement to send waste 400 miles away for sorting. Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council’s recycling waste has been transported to Newry in Northern Ireland since March 2025.

Susie Williams, a member of the public, asked Cambridgeshire County Council how likely it is that a recycling centre could be built in Cambridgeshire and when this could happen. She said: “The trucks generate considerable amounts of carbon emissions and particulates, which is not really acceptable for two councils who are aiming to become net-zero.”

Cllr Ros Hathorn, chair of the county council’s environment and green investment committee, said that the waste market and providers “do not serve the East of England particularly well” and don’t have “sufficient capacity” to take their recycling.

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The Liberal Democrat councillor said the waste partnership, Recycling in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (RECAP) which includes all local authorities in Cambridgeshire, is starting to look at other solutions.
She said: “It is not as straightforward as just building an industrial unit, putting some kit in there and switching it on – it’s a long, expensive process. It requires a licence from the Environment Agency, which is not straightforward to get.

“It needs to get planning permission and, as a new facility would create significant traffic in its area, there is likely to be objections to it.”

Cllr Ros Hathorn speaks at a meeting of Cambridgeshire County Council(Image: YouTube)

Cllr Hathorn said that the upcoming local government reorganisation “has slowed down the prospects of any big project being started in the near future”.

The council was asked to approve a new strategy document for RECAP. Cllr Darren Green said he was “very encouraged” to see it recommended recycling take place locally.

The Green Party councillor said: “I think this council must do everything it can to change this. Other counties can process their blue bin recycling locally – why can’t Cambridgeshire?”

Cllr Darren Green(Image: YouTube)

Cllr Mike Black said that “everyone can see that this looks ridiculous”. He called it an example of market failure and “privatisation not working”.
The Labour councillor said: “I don’t like hearing local government review as an excuse for doing nothing or delaying things. We have a new government after 15 years of the same, we have a vast need for change – and we need to change quickly.
“I don’t think we should be saying that local government review stops councils from being innovative and planning for the future. Indeed, I think on these sorts of issues, we should be trying to get things done as quickly as possible.”

Cllr Steve Tierney disagreed, saying “things aren’t always as simple as they appear”. The Conservative councillor said: “It’s not market failure when markets don’t deliver the outcome you want – that’s market reality – it would only be failure if they simply couldn’t do it.
“It’s not ideal to send things to Northern Ireland, I accept that. I would like to see a change that changes that, but only if it’s cost-effective for the taxpayer.
“If this works out to be the cheapest way to do it for the taxpayer, then I’d carry on supporting doing it – for the simple reason I don’t think we need to be layering costs upon the tax payer for virtue projects.”

A spokesperson for the country park said that the new machines are ‘quicker’ and “easier to use”Milton Country Park(Image: Amy Britton/CambridgeshireLive)A Cambridgeshire country park has installed a new parking machine after customers complained about an “extremely harsh” system. Milton Country Park, situated just outside of Cambridge, has recently announced a new parking system “following lots of customer feedback”.Visitors claim to have had received unfair fines from the previous system. One person wrote: “While the park itself is lovely, the parking enforcement is incredibly harsh. It’s a popular spot for families with young children, but the management shows zero leniency – staying even a minute past your paid time results in a £60 fine.”Another stated: “Great park but horrible parking process. App is truly awful and machine gets busy. You can lose the first 15 minutes just trying to pay, and time starts the moment you enter the car park, not pay.”A review on Tripadvisor said: “Whilst the park itself was fine, the main issue was the parking. I paid for two hours and left within that time, however, around 10 days later I received a parking fine claiming I had underpaid – which I hadn’t.”The customer appealed the charge but claimed it was rejected. They said that because they had paid in cash, they had no evidence and ended up paying the fine.A spokesperson for Milton Country Park said: “Following lots of customer feedback about the parking machine in our car park, we’re pleased to let you know that we have removed the old machine and have now installed two brand-new machines with a much simpler pay-on-exit system.”They added: “The new machines are easier to use, quicker, and designed to make parking more convenient for everyone. Thank you to everyone who took time to share their feedback – we really appreciate it and are always looking at ways to improve your experience with us.”The country park offers visitors a large green space and outdoor activities including paddle sports and open water swimming. The site contains a cafe, playground, bike track, woodland, and lakes.Describing the site itself, one visitor said that is is an “incredible place to relax and enjoy with family and dogs”. Another described it as the “most beautiful park” they had ever visited.