Agenda item

To receive a progress report on the A14 from the Head of Development.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Development (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel was updated on the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme.

The Panel was informed that the Council was a Tier 1 stakeholder and as such was not required to make a formal representation in order to appear at the proposed Examination in Public. However the Planning Inspectorate had asked the Council to make a representation. A copy of the Council’s representation could be found in Appendix B to the report.

It was confirmed that in addition to the outstanding issues currently being negotiated as contained in Appendix B, the issue of legacy of the scheme remained outstanding. In addition to building a road, there was the environmental impact of the proposed scheme to consider, including the planned borrow pits where selected construction materials would be extracted.

Details of the route improvements were described to the Panel after which a Member asked about the future proofing of bridges in terms of future traffic growth. In response it was confirmed that the bridges were future proofed in design terms until 2036. It was difficult accurately to predict traffic levels beyond that timeframe. The proposed junction at Bar Hill would accommodate traffic from the proposed Northstowe development.

Concerns were raised about the provision of adequate signage for motorists to ensure that the right routes were utilised. The Panel were informed that signage was still to be decided, however it was understood that the contractors for the proposed scheme would be appointed this month in order to meet the planned construction timetable. Details of the scheme, including signage, would form part of the detailed design discussions.

A Member asked who within the Council was responsible for assessing the noise impacts of the proposed scheme. It was confirmed that the Head of Community Services, Chris Stopford, was the relevant Head of Service. Those directly affected had potential compensation rights and rights to be protected from noise. However, it was also confirmed that there were some residential properties which, while they were affected, this was only considered to be to a minor degree and within acceptable limits under current EU standards.

In response to a question relating to the availability of funding for the scheme, it was confirmed that the Treasury had already committed the funding for it. In addition, a number of Councils within the scheme had agreed funding contributions of £100m and signed agreements were now in place covering this sum.

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Council’s continued engagement with the Development Consent Order process relating to the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme and efforts to seek to reach agreement on the remaining outstanding matters as highlighted in Appendix C of the report be noted,

(b)  that the Relevant Representation at Appendix B for sign-off by the Executive Councillor for Planning & Housing Strategy and the Corporate Director (Delivery) by the stated deadline be endorsed and,

(c)  that the Cabinet be informed of the Panel’s comments on progress relating to the A14 project based on the contents of the report by the Head of Development.

(At 7.30pm, during the discussion of this item, Councillor Mrs B E Boddington left the meeting.)