A section of Milton Road, a main route into Cambridge's city center, has been closed in both directions after a significant sinkhole opened up. Police were deployed to manage traffic on Monday afternoon as highway teams began investigating the cause of the sudden collapse. The sinkhole is estimated to be between two and three meters deep.
City councillor Delowar Hossain suggested the incident raised concerns about the quality of recent road works, stating, "The entire road now needs a full investigation from top to bottom to ensure safety and prevent a serious accident in the future." Elisa Meschini, a councillor and former chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership, questioned whether nearby Anglian Water works might have contributed to the sinkhole, adding, "If Anglian Water have caused this, the taxpayer should not foot the bill." Anglian Water, however, stated they attended the site but did not believe their works were connected to the incident.
The road closure has reignited debate surrounding the junction, known locally as a 'magic roundabout' and recently upgraded to a CYCLOPS (Cycling Optimised Protected Signals) junction. The £24 million overhaul by the Greater Cambridge Partnership aimed to improve walking, cycling, and public transport routes. However, the new design, featuring 36 sets of traffic lights, has drawn criticism from residents and drivers.
The CYCLOPS junction design incorporates a protected cycle lane encircling the junction, aiming to separate cyclists from motor traffic and pedestrians. Cyclists can make signal-free left turns or use dedicated buttons to access traffic signal phases for other movements. Pedestrians share the junction with cyclists but on separate pathways, with zebra crossings to cross the cycle lanes.
Despite the design intentions, many residents have voiced frustration, with some calling the extensive traffic light system a "total waste of money" that exacerbates traffic congestion. Online discussions highlight issues with long waits at red lights even when there is no other traffic, leading some to question the fundamental purpose of a roundabout in such a configuration. This public reaction follows similar user struggles with other CYCLOPS junctions in the city, one of which required a council-produced tutorial video five years after its opening due to navigation difficulties.
The city's Conservative group has criticized the CYCLOPS format, attributing it to "chaos for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers alike" and citing a potential increase in collisions. Data indicates a rise in minor injury crashes since 2021 compared to the years prior.
Cambridgeshire County Council stated on Tuesday that Milton Road remains closed and that highways staff are on-site investigating the sinkhole. Due to the presence of numerous utilities beneath the road, a simple filling of the hole is not feasible. The council is collaborating with partner agencies for the necessary repairs and has apologized for the disruption, urging the public to plan journeys accordingly and allow extra travel time. The road will be reopened once deemed safe.
Greater Manchester was the first region in the UK to implement CYCLOPS junctions, with subsequent implementations in various other locations, and proposals for more. The first junction of this type in Cambridge opened in October 2024.