Plans for the £1.5bn A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme moved a step closer today (7 April) with the launch of a 10-week consultation announced by the Highways Agency.
In September 2013, the HA held a public consultation to consider route options for the A14 scheme. As a result of this exercise, the proposed scheme has been developed in more detail and plans to toll the road have been dropped.
The changes that have been made in response to feedback from last year’s consultation include improvements to Brampton, Swavesey, Bar Hill and Girton junctions. An updated local access road has also been proposed between Fen Drayton and Swavesey.
The current consultation exercise forms part of the statutory planning process and is intended to give local residents, businesses, haulage operators and communities more information on the scope and details of the proposals and to have their say on the plans.
Roads Minister Robert Goodwill said: “The redevelopment of the £1.5 billion A14 scheme is vital to the economic development of the region, helping to support and unlock growth across the East of England.
“The new consultation is an important next step in the development process, not only for local businesses, but for residents and motorists who are subject to delays and reliability issues on a daily basis. I encourage anyone who uses the A14 to get online and have their say.”
Ian Parker, the Highways Agency’s project director for the A14 scheme, added:
“This is a vital scheme that will deliver benefits for Cambridgeshire and those who regularly use the A14.
“This consultation forms part of the planning process, so it’s an important opportunity for everyone with an interest in this scheme to get involved and to let us know what they think. That way we can make sure the scheme best meets the needs of businesses, road users and the local community.”
The Highways Agency has organised more than 30 events across Cambridgeshire over the next 10 weeks to make sure as many people as possible are informed about the plans. Details of the events are available to view on the A14 project page on the Highways Agency website.
The Agency will announce the preferred route in the summer before submitting its planning application, which is known as a development consent order or DCO, to the planning inspectorate in the autumn. Subject to a successful examination of the planning application, work is due to start on site in late 2016.
