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Cambridgeshire County Council has launched a new flood resilience campaign aimed at helping residents and communities prepare for flooding across the county. The initiative, called ‘Prepare’, coincides with the national Flood Action Week organised by the Environment Agency, running from 13 to 19 October.

The campaign is designed to give residents practical guidance on reducing flood risk and responding effectively if flooding occurs. It comes after a motion passed earlier this year by the council called for clearer communication on flood responsibilities and better community preparedness. Many residents remain unaware of the risks they face or the steps they can take to protect themselves, their homes, and their communities.

Prepare targets those living in high-risk flood areas, riparian landowners, existing and potential community flood groups, local stakeholders, and parish councils. The campaign also responds to a recent Government report by the cross-party Environmental Audit Committee, which highlighted that public awareness of flood risk in England is “dangerously low.” The report warned that too many people do not understand who is responsible for managing flood risk in their area, how to respond to warnings, or how to safeguard their homes, leaving lives and livelihoods exposed.

Cambridgeshire County Council is taking action to address these gaps. The Prepare campaign offers guidance on checking flood risk using online tools and maps, creating personal or household flood plans, and assembling emergency flood kits with essential items such as food, water, torches, batteries, and important documents. The campaign also clarifies responsibilities for different types of flooding, including surface water, river flooding, and groundwater, as well as riparian ownership duties for landowners with watercourses running on, under, or alongside their property.

Flood mitigation is considered a shared responsibility, and the council works closely with the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards, and Anglian Water to manage local risks. Residents are encouraged to take proactive steps now, rather than waiting until flooding occurs, to protect their homes and loved ones.

Councillor Ros Hathorn, Chair of the Environment and Green Investment Committee, emphasised the importance of preparation. “Flooding can devastate communities and is a growing risk,” she said. “Flood prevention is a team effort and requires action at Government, community, and individual levels. Being prepared makes all the difference.”

She added that the campaign equips residents with practical tools such as household kits, flood plans, insurance guidance, and local support networks. “I would urge everyone to take a few minutes to be aware of their flood risk — it’s a small step that could protect your home and loved ones. By taking action now, we can reduce the impact of flooding and build more resilient communities,” Councillor Hathorn said.

The council is also encouraging residents to get involved locally. Community flood groups strengthen local resilience, and anyone in an area without one is invited to consider starting a group. Simple steps, such as checking flood maps, signing up for alerts, understanding evacuation routes and emergency contacts, and maintaining awareness of local watercourses, can make a significant difference in mitigating damage.

Information and resources for the campaign will be available via the council’s website and social media channels. Residents can find guidance on signing up for flood alerts, reporting flooding, and accessing support to form or join community flood groups.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s Prepare campaign is part of a wider effort to ensure residents are informed, equipped, and empowered to respond to flooding risks. By combining community engagement, clear guidance, and practical tools, the initiative aims to protect homes, safeguard lives, and strengthen resilience across the county.

An Essex based rehabilitation facility has reported admissions for a use rising over 100% from levels half a decade earlier.

The manager of Sanctuary Lodge in Halstead, Jade Clark, bemoaned the poor state of public awareness of dangers and health issues associated with ketamine. Specifically, serious problems with bladder health.

“[They may need] Urine bags fitted for the rest of their lives” Ms Clark explained.

“…that has a massive impact on their self esteem and confidence,”

When misused by human, the drug – often called ket, K, or Special K, can cause serious damage to the bladder, resulting in life long usage difficulties and complications.

Ketamine is a legal drug when used in its proper context. Specifically as a horse tranquiliser. In the improper context it is currently considered Class B under the Misuse of Drugs act 1971.

The drug is reported to enduce feelings of being “Detached, happy, chilled…” according to the substance abuse charity TalkToFrank. However it also can cause “Memory loss, nausea, depression”

Aside from the long term use risks, the short term risks revolve around the loss of pain sensation, leading to the possibility of serious injury without knowing. “When you’ve taken ketamine you can injure yourself and not know it” TalktoFrank explains.

In the last few years there have been some notable cases of ketamine use reaching the headlines. In 2024 the Reverend Geoffrey Baulcoumb was expelled from the Church of England’s after claiming that his ‘periodic’ drug use helped him connect with his parishioners. This claim was “Utterly rejected” by senior Anglican figures involved in his tribunal.

In 2023 Matthew Perry, Hollywood actor and star of the hit sitcom Friends, was found dead from drugs related causes that were later discovered to have been primarily Ketamine.

Finley Worthington, who operates a drug rehabilitation service called Ketamine Education Services, is working through recovery following over half a decade of ketamine usage.

“I started getting ket cramps – I can’t put into words how painful it was – I was rolling around on the floor like a baby with tears in my eyes,” he said.

“Soon after that, I found blood and then a jelly-like substance in my urine – but I was addicted so it was hard to stop.

“I became really scared and didn’t know where to turn until I eventually discovered rehab.

“The scary part for me is that children are taking it – you have children at the age of nine taking it. We need to be going into schools talking about it a lot more to warn them of the dangers.”

“I believe with the ages we see people taking it we need to be talking to Years 5 and 6,” he added.

A spokesperson for the government described rises in ketamine use as “deeply concerning”.

“The Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention has requested advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs about reclassifying it as a Class A drug, and will consider that advice carefully and quickly once received,” they said.

Cambridgeshire County Council has approved a series of new 20mph schemes aimed at improving road safety, reducing collisions and supporting healthier, more active travel across the county. The decision was taken at the Council’s Highways and Transport Committee meeting on Tuesday, 14 October, following a process that invited local community groups, Parish and Town Councils to submit applications for funding.

The council has allocated £160,000 for 2025-26 to fully fund the approved schemes. Prior to the committee meeting, officers scored all applications, which were then reviewed by a cross-party councillor working group. The schemes will either take the form of a 20mph limit or a 20mph zone, depending on the location. A 20mph limit typically covers a small number of streets and requires only signage, whereas 20mph zones cover larger areas and involve both signs and road markings.

Of the 95 applications submitted across Cambridgeshire, 11 were approved. The schemes include village-wide 20mph zones in Barrington, Comberton, Landbeach, Harston, Madingley, Milton and Newton in South Cambridgeshire, and Offord Cluny and Offord Darcy in Huntingdonshire. In addition, multiple-road schemes were approved in Waresley, Wilburton, and Sutton. Following the committee’s approval, each scheme will undergo informal and statutory consultation with the community before final implementation. Those not funded will remain on the priority list for future rounds, with the next applications reopening in January 2026. On-site delivery is expected to begin in late summer 2026 and continue through spring 2027.

Cllr Alex Beckett, Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee, said the programme reflects the council’s commitment to safer streets. He noted that even small reductions in vehicle speed can have a significant impact on safety. A vehicle travelling at 20mph has a 90% chance of survival for a pedestrian in a collision, compared with 50% at 30mph, and studies show casualty reductions of over 20% in areas with 20mph limits. “Our funding empowers local communities to make their streets safer, while encouraging healthier, more active travel,” Cllr Beckett said.

Evidence from the UK and Europe demonstrates the benefits of lower speed limits. Research conducted by Transport for London (TfL) analysed more than 150 20mph schemes implemented between 1989 and 2013, showing a 34% reduction in deaths and serious injuries and a 75% reduction in child fatalities on borough roads. The analysis confirms that 20mph limits do not increase congestion and contribute to safer streets, supporting walking, cycling, and reduced noise pollution.

The positive impact of 20mph schemes has also been confirmed in Wales, where a national default 20mph speed limit on restricted roads reduced casualties by 24% in the period from April to June 2024 compared to the previous year. Evidence consistently highlights that speed is the single most important factor in the likelihood and severity of collisions, with faster vehicles associated with higher risks of serious injury and death. In London, speed was a contributory factor in around half of fatal collisions in 2023.

While compliance with the speed limit is crucial, councils can encourage adherence through road signs, markings, education campaigns, public engagement and, where necessary, enforcement. Observational studies across the UK show that 20mph schemes are linked to safer roads without significantly impacting travel times or local traffic flow. The schemes also have wider benefits, including encouraging walking and cycling, improving air quality and reducing traffic noise, which can positively influence physical and mental wellbeing across communities.

The Cambridgeshire 20mph programme aligns with wider national objectives to reduce road casualties and improve public health. By reducing speed and encouraging walking and cycling, these schemes aim to make streets safer, promote sustainable travel, and support communities in creating safer, more inclusive neighbourhoods.

The council’s full list of approved 20mph schemes and supporting documents are available on the Cambridgeshire County Council website, providing residents with details of locations, planned consultations and next steps. This initiative represents a tangible step towards safer, healthier and more connected communities across the county, while reflecting the council’s commitment to evidence-led measures that protect the most vulnerable road users.