Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager outlining the results of the technical study on the implications of the retention or removal of the viaduct.

Noted the findings of the Atkins A14 Huntingdon Viaduct Study and commended it to the Secretary of State for consideration as part of the decisions of the options for the development of the A14 Improvements Scheme.  Supported the principles of the CHUMMS Options Strategy presented at the Highway Agency’s Public Consultation in 2005 and authorised the Director of Operational Services to respond to the Secretary of State requesting the further development of details of the new highway links and junctions in Huntingdon as part of the A14 Scheme in consultation with the Cambridgeshire County Council and Huntingdonshire District Council; and the promotion of necessary statutory orders for such links along with those that will be necessary for the wider A14 scheme and its associated local access roads.

With the aid of a report by the Director of Operational Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the findings of a study into the retention or removal of the existing Huntingdon viaduct in conjunction with the Highways Agency’s proposals for upgrading the A14 between Ellington and Fen Ditton.

The study had concluded that the original CHUMMS option would be viable and that the highway network in Huntingdon could be modified to accommodate the removal of the A14 Viaduct and the construction of new highway links and junctions designed to improve the local road network. In that respect, Members recognised the benefits of the proposals, inter alia, in terms of separating local and through traffic, improving traffic movements between and around Huntingdon, Godmanchester and Hinchingbrooke and presenting regeneration and development opportunities in the locality.

In receiving a letter from Buckden Parish Council expressing concerns over the study’s content and findings, Executive Members noted that the proposals would be the subject of an extensive consultation exercise.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the findings of the Atkins A14 Huntingdon Viaduct Study be noted and welcomed;

(b)  that the study be commended to the Secretary of State for consideration as part of the decisions of the options for the development of the A14 Improvements Scheme; and

(c)  that the principles of the CHUMMS Options Strategy presented at the Highway Agency’s Public Consultation in 2005 be supported and the Director of Operational Services authorised to urge the Secretary of State: -

¨  to develop further details of the new highway links and junctions in Huntingdon as part of the A14 Scheme in consultation with the Cambridgeshire County Council and the District Council; and

¨  to promote the necessary statutory orders for such links along with those that will be required for the wider A14 scheme and its associated local access roads.