This morning saw the annual open day for councillors at the Witchford highways depot. We were offered a bus tour to see different types of road surfacing, and watch gully emptying. Unfortunately the Dragon Patcher machine wasn’t out on Engine Bank in Mepal as intended, but it eventually went on display at the depot, breathing fire as promised.

Council officers were on hand to answer our questions on a variety of highways topics. One of the most moving conversations was with road safety education officer Matt Staton.

Aaron Cook from Willingham was just 19 years old when he and his motorbike were in a collision with a skip lorry on the road between Histon and Cottenham. He suffered multiple and fatal injuries. His courageous family have allowed the remains of his bike to be used to educate local young people about safety on our roads. Matt runs the council’s Cambs Drive IQ programme for novice and young drivers.