A Conservative proposal to investigate the use of AI-powered cameras on South Cambridgeshire's bin lorries to identify potholes and other highway defects has been voted down by the Liberal Democrat administration.
The motion called on the Council to explore whether cameras mounted on existing bin lorries could help identify potholes and damaged roads as they travel their normal routes. The information could then be shared with Cambridgeshire County Council to support quicker identification and repair of problems.
Conservative councillors Heather Williams and Richard Williams argued that the proposal would have helped improve reporting without requiring additional inspection vehicles or creating extra journeys.
Following the vote, Cllr Heather Williams who brought the motion said:
"It simply defies logic that the Lib Dems have voted against this motion. What is currently being done on our roads is simply not working. We must look at new ways to solve the issues of today. It’s almost as if they don’t want the problems to be fixed. Or perhaps they don’t believe there is a problem. With unitary councils on the horizon, it won’t matter what council does what soon. We should be doing all we can to resolve the matters regardless of what council we are at. Residents want results. That’s what we will continue working hard to achieve, despite the Lib Dems ridiculous and pathetic behaviour today."
The proposal did not ask the Council to introduce the technology immediately. Instead, it sought an investigation into how existing council vehicles could be used to help identify highway defects more efficiently and support the authority responsible for road maintenance.