A planning application for the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme has been accepted by the government’s planning inspectorate.
The scheme will involve a new major bypass between Swavesey and Brampton, widening the A1 between Brampton and Alconbury, widening the existing A14 between Swavesey and Girton, improving the junctions at Bar Hill, Swavesey and Girton, Huntingdon town centre improvements to include the demolition of the viaduct and a new local access road.
Last year the Highways Agency received over 1,400 responses, including 1,152 completed questionnaires, during a formal consultation on the scheme which could cost up to £1.5bn. As a result of the responses several design changes were made to the proposal.
The consultation between April and June found that 85% of those who answered the questionnaire agree the A14 needs improving,
Mike Evans, from the Highways Agency’s A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon project team, said: “Obviously we are delighted that our application has been accepted, and it was good to see that the majority of people agree with our proposal. Once completed this vital investment will relieve congestion on one of the busiest parts of this strategic network between the Midlands and East Anglia and will support both national and economic growth.
“We received a high number of responses during the consultation last year. We listened to the feedback, and where we could, we have made several changes to the design for the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme.”
The plans will be examined by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate as part of an application for a development consent order.
If the order is granted, then work on the new scheme could get underway in 2016. The new bypass and widened A14 would be open to traffic in 2020. Work to demolish the viaduct over the East Coast Mainline at Huntingdon, along with de-trunking of the A14 between Huntingdon and Swavesey, would then get underway.
