Highways England has released images of what the town of Huntingdon will look like once the old A14 viaduct is removed.

The works are a key part of the roughly £1.5bn A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon scheme, which is upgrading 21 miles of the A14 to three lanes in each direction, including a new bypass south of Huntingdon.

Highways England said the 43 year-old viaduct that currently carries the existing A14 over the railway line and local roads dominates the skyline near the Huntingdon train station but its planned removal will enable a major redesign of the area.

A new public transport hub will be created, with bus stops 'conveniently located for the railway station'.

Highways England added that removing the viaduct will also reduce noise and air pollution, and will facilitate further improvements in the town centre.

Chris Bayliss, A14 project manager at Highways England, said: ‘Work to upgrade the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon is progressing well and we are on schedule to open the new road to traffic by the end of 2020.

‘The Huntingdon viaduct was built in 1975, and removing it will create new opportunities for Huntingdon. Once the new A14 is open to traffic, the old A14 will become a local road. The plans we are sharing today will make it even easier for people to travel around, as well as in and out of, Huntingdon.'

Main construction work in Huntingdon is expected to start in 2019.  It will include a new Mill Common link road, the removal of the A14 viaduct and work around the train station, and a new Views Common link road.

Before this, preparatory work will include archaeology and utility diversions. Highways England is looking for volunteers for the achaeology work. Those interested should email msearle@molaheadland.com before the 25 June and state their preferred days.

Highways England is holding six public events this month and is encouraging people to find out more about its plans.

The A14 archaeology team is also calling for volunteers to take part in a free summer community dig programme between 24 July and 25 August.

Volunteers will work alongside archaeology experts, exploring evidence of industrial activity relating to the abandoned medieval village of Houghton, near Huntingdon, as well as Iron Age and Roman remains.

Each volunteer must be able to commit to five (not necessarily consecutive) days of excavation from 9am to 4pm. Those interested should email msearle@molaheadland.com before the 25 June and state their preferred days.