Agenda item

The A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton Improvement Scheme – Public Consultation

To give preliminary consideration to the publication by the Highways Agency of the proposals for the improvement of the A14 between Ellington and Fen Ditton to assist in the investigation of the implications and preparation of a detailed report for formal consideration at a special meeting of the Council to be held on 22nd December 2009.

Councillor D B Dew, Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport to open the debate.

Representatives of affected town and parish councils have been invited to express their views for three minutes per council for the first thirty minutes of the discussion.

A report by the Head of Planning Services is enclosed and Members are reminded that a map showing the proposals is contained in the non-technical survey previously circulated.

(Councillor C R Hyams addressed the Council as both Godmanchester Town Council representative and also as Ward Member for Godmanchester).

The Chairman invited Councillor D B Dew, Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport to open the debate on -

"The A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton Improvement Scheme - Public Consultation". 

In his opening remarks, Councillor Dew acquainted Members with background to the A14 improvement scheme and drew attention to the wide ranging implications of the road in local, regional, national and European economy terms. Members were reminded that a Special Meeting of the Council would be held on 22nd December 2009, when the Council's response to the proposed improvement scheme would be finalised. Councillor Dew highlighted the importance of the delivery of the improvements, and in particular, the need to segregate local and strategic traffic, with a view to avoiding the problems of traffic congestion and accident levels that were currently being experienced by local residents and communities. 

In advance of the debate and receiving the views of affected Town and Parish Councils, the Transportation Team Leader presented a computer simulation of the new route and the proposed arrangements for Huntingdonshire. 

Members were informed that an open invitation had been extended to all Town and Parish Councils in the District to express their views on the proposals so that the Council could take them into account before reaching its own decision. The Chairman therefore invited representatives of Brampton, Buckden, Fenstanton, Godmanchester, Hemingford Abbots, Hilton, Kimbolton and St Ives Councils to address Members, expressing their Council's initial comments on the proposals. Support was generally expressed for the scheme but a number of issues were raised in terms of interchange and access arrangements, air pollution, noise, construction traffic and the impact on local roads.  (Details of the comments by individual councils are available from the Council's Democratic Services Section).

Councillor J D Ablewhite opened up the debate by expressing his support for the preferred "Orange Route" being proposed by the Highways Agency.

Although having welcomed the proposal as the representative of Godmanchester Town Council, Councillor C R Hyams, in his capacity as Ward Councillor, expressed a wish to see a pelican crossing being included within the proposals for Godmanchester. He also commented upon the restrictions that might be placed on residents travelling into and out of the village due to the potential impact of increased traffic on local roads, in particular, the A1198. Comment was also made upon the funding for future maintenance of local roads, which he believed would deteriorate as a consequence of anticipated increases in traffic.

Having endorsed the views of Buckden Parish Council, Councillor R J West reminded Members of the need to address issues that required attention, namely air quality, noise pollution, visual impact and the risks associated with flooding, which all would have a subsequent impact upon local communities. Although welcoming the proposal for the removal of the existing Huntingdon viaduct, Councillor West reiterated the concerns raised by local Parish Councils on the potential impact on traffic congestion.

Having welcomed the proposal, Councillor K M Baker reported the views of Alconbury Parish Council on the potential impact of the removal of the Huntingdon viaduct on vehicles travelling to Alconbury. 

In acknowledging the concerns raised by Members and the Town and Parish Councils with regard to the removal of the existing viaduct, Councillor P L E Bucknell sought clarification on the process for its removal, particularly the impact that works would have upon Buckden and Brampton. Councillor Bucknell questioned what the implications would be for Huntingdonshire, should a decision be made to retain the viaduct in its present position.

In concurring with the concerns raised in respect of the removal of the viaduct, Councillor W T Clough expressed his view that while the A14 improvements would be beneficial in the long term for Buckden, further information should be made available on the de-trunking of the existing route of the road. Councillor Clough went on to emphasise the importance of getting the balance right in terms of satisfying the needs of local communities and in ensuring that adequate transportation links were established within the District. In terms of the proposals relating to the west of Brampton, Councillor P J Downes, reiterated the concerns made by Brampton Parish Council with regard to the proposed layout of the road where it was proposed to change from a three-lane to a two-lane carriageway. Additionally, Councillor Downes questioned the lack of detail provided in the plans for junctions, particularly on link roads. He suggested that there might be a risk of severe traffic congestion on Brampton Road which could potentially obstruct access to and from Huntingdon Railway Station. In commenting upon the removal of the viaduct, he agreed that Cambridgeshire County Council would not be able to continue to meet the maintenance costs of the current structure in its present form when the road was de-trunked. Councillor Downes concluded by accepting that, it would be difficult to satisfy the needs of all of the residents of Huntingdonshire but that efforts should continue to be made to ensure that the final proposal would benefit the wider local community.

Councillor M G Baker expressed his opinion that the scheme would attract additional traffic to the area, resulting in increases in the level of traffic movement currently being experienced in Huntingdonshire and inherently greater dangers for road users. In representing the smaller village communities in the west of the District, Councillor Baker raised concern at the risks associated with the anticipated traffic increase given the fact that the majority of the slip roads joining the A14 west of the A1 were very short in length. He requested that the issue be addressed in advance of construction works on the new road. 

Councillor J A Gray endorsed the views expressed by Councillor Baker and underlined the importance of ensuring that the problems raised by Members be addressed, particularly with regard to the lack of detail provided on the impact of the removal of the viaduct.  He also drew Members' need to look ahead and anticipate possible future upgrades to both the A14 and A1 if traffic flows continued to rise.

Councillor Mrs J A Dew placed on record her support for the proposals and commented that works to improve the A14 should not be delayed. This view was echoed by Councillor P H Dakers, who also concurred with the views expressed by Councillor Downes that a balance would have to be struck in favour of the majority when considering the impact of the scheme.

Referring to the economic benefits that the new A14 would bring to the District, Councillor A Hansard highlighted the importance of the route in transport and strategic terms. He also drew attention to the population and growth projections for the District over the forthcoming years and reiterated the view that the commencement of works to the new A14 should begin without any unnecessary delay. 

Whilst expressing his support for the scheme, Councillor T V Rogers commented upon the impact that the proposal would have on communities to the north of the A14, bearing in mind that the main aggregate extraction site for the County was located in the Needingworth area. Specific comment was made on the impact that aggregate vehicles would have upon local roads, while construction works were taking place. Councillor Rogers emphasised the need to raise the issue of the routing of vehicles with Cambridgeshire County Council given the implications that this would have upon communities in terms of increased traffic movement and noise and air pollution. 

Councillor M F Shellens reiterated the concerns which had been raised in respect of the proposals for Brampton Road and the lack of detail provided in the plans for the associated junctions. He echoed concerns for the potential for traffic to build up along Brampton Road arising from the removal of the viaduct. Additionally, he commented upon the HGV ban in place within Brampton and the need to ensure that this was effectively enforced. He also urged the Highways Agency to give sufficient consideration to the proposals in the Hinchingbrooke/Brampton Road area, given the fact that there would be increased pedestrian movement in the event of the relocation of Huntingdonshire Regional College.

Councillor J J Dutton expressed his support for the preferred "Orange Route" but commented that consideration needed to be given to the impact of the junctions and link roads located in Brampton, Huntingdon and Godmanchester.

In noting the issues raised by Members and also commenting on the environmental impact of the proposal, Councillor I C Bates, Leader of the Council, urged that any further views be directed to Officers of the District Council in advance of the Special Meeting.

Councillor Dew thanked all Members and the Town and Parish Council representatives for their contributions to the debate, particularly those who had raised issues requiring further investigation. In his concluding remarks, Councillor Dew reported that he would be asking Officers to investigate the issues raised in time for the Council's Special Meeting on 22nd December and that the challenge now faced by the Council would be to encourage early delivery of a new and enhanced A14 for the benefit of all Huntingdonshire communities.