An intelligent, solar-powered flood warning system, designed and installed by SWARCO UK & Ireland is helping Cambridgeshire County Council to improve road safety and flood resilience on Mill Lane in Little Paxton.
Mill Lane and surrounding routes in Little Paxton have experienced flood-related disruption in recent years, with rising water levels requiring the use of flood gates and temporary road closures to protect road users and nearby communities. Cambridge County Council required a reliable solution that could clearly communicate changing road conditions to drivers in real time.
SWARCO’s solution comprises three fixed LED flood warning signs, a solar-powered flood detection system and a gate sensor installed on the flood gates. The system has been configured to operate dynamically depending on weather conditions. When rising water levels are detected, the signs initially display a flood warning caution warning before escalating to a road closed message when high trigger levels are reached. When the flood gates are closed, the gate sensor immediately triggers the signs to display road closed messages, which remain active until the gates are reopened and the road has been checked and cleared of any debris.
The system is also fully integrated with SWARCO’s intelligent and modular MyCity platform, which enables the Council’s traffic management team to remotely monitor, control and manage the site in real time.
Cllr Robin Wyatt, Vice-Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Flooding has a real impact on the safety of our road users and the resilience of our communities.
“This new system gives us reliable, real-time information so we can keep people safe and make informed decisions more quickly. By using intelligent technology to warn drivers early and manage closures more effectively, we’re improving safety on Mill Lane and strengthening our ability to respond to severe weather across the county.”
“We understand the disruption and safety risks flooding can pose for road users and local communities,” said Derek Williamson, Head of Urban Sales at SWARCO UK & Ireland. “This project demonstrates how intelligent, cost-effective flood warning systems can be tailored to specific site requirements, helping local authorities improve resilience while working within budget constraints.”
(Picture: SWARCO UK & Ireland)
