Kieron and Peter met with Ian Bates as suggested. Ian had arranged for 2 reps from Cambridge CC, another rep from HDC and Mike Evans from Highways to be present.

Submission of DCO

We were advised that the HA is looking to submit on Friday 28 November 2014 to the Planning Inspectorate although Mike Evans suggested that this was unlikely to be met, however brace yourselves as it is going to happen very shortly and we will need to be ready to act.

Ian Bates provided Kieron with a copy of a document that shows that HDC (and/or CCC) have looked at the submission and agree that it is properly conducted although highlights a number of areas that need to be addressed, this included some concerns expressed by Hilton residents, (please see attached).

Mitigation

The environmental impact submission is still being compiled and as we are aware this will not be available for us to see until it is published on the PI website.

On air quality it was suggested that people further down the route are challenging air quality using U.S. air quality measurements. The thoughts are that this is irrelevant because the UK has to abide by EU air quality requirements and that people were wasting their time pushing a point against U.S measurements.

We both felt very frustrated at the general level of response to the queries we had. In short the responses we had went along the lines of hard luck but that is the way it is.

HGV Ban

This was applied for 12 or so years ago and was defeated as local hauliers argued, and won on basis that the route would be longer going down the A14 and 1198 and congestion would mean a time delay. One of the 3 main protestors was Dairy Crest. We pointed out that Dairy Crest was no longer there and were advised that probably any case might win in terms of arguing the old A14 would be less congested it would lose on the length of route (this has not changed). We are going to propose that this is looked at by the WG.

Reduction in speed limit on Fenstanton Rd

In preparation for increased traffic flow due to rat running we ask for support in reducing the speed limit to 30mph from 40. We were advised that at District or County level there are no funds available for such a move. If the village wanted to do this then it could apply on the basis it carried the cost – estimated to be at least £2,000.

With several of these issues the response was to for us to look at the history of what happened in the past with no acknowledgment of what could be done now. It was also suggested we share our concerns with neighbouring villages such as Fenstanton. We were not sure if we have contacted Fenstanton but that might be worth following up although it is likely we have opposing views on many issues. Rat running

We were told that traffic modelling showed a reduction in traffic through the village and in reality we are not likely to learn the full impact until after the scheme is completed and then they might conduct a survey with a view to implement mitigating measures, probably in about 8 years’ time.

Traffic Calming

Traffic Calming got much the same reply - look at what has happened in the past and what objections there have been to raise calming measures and how many people rejected these because of noise problems. There was a suggestion that there would not be much appetite for support of any further calming measures at this time.

Once the application is submitted to the PI and is available CCC and HDC will be going over it as thoroughly as possible with each looking at the areas it covers. They will be aiming to get their findings and recommendations into their respective committees in March 2015 and therefore would welcome any input from ourselves before then - probably late January/early Feb in order that they can incorporate anything they find useful into their reports and recommendations to the PI.

Borrrow Pits

CCC and HDC (whichever) is pressing HA to come up with a proper plan for use of the pits after completion of the scheme. We are told, as we were at the meeting with HA at the golf club, that the pits would be pretty much exhausted in material terms and they are trying to ensure that they are not left just as empty holes in the ground. The counties mineral needs are planned to be serviced by excavation at other sites around Cambridgeshire and the Council does not see a need to extract further from this site. However that will not exclude the land owner or another party from applying to use the site for such purpose in the future. There was also comment made that the DC or CC would not be looking to manage any activity on the site, rather it would be looking for an organisation, be that wildlife or similar to look to want to do so. A map was handed over to us illustrating the current location of the borrow pits, (see attached)

Lighting at junctions

We were advised only junctions will be lit where there is access to the new road bridges, the ones which will affect us are the A1198 junction at Wood Green and to a lesser extent the Swavesey junction. Thankfully none of the bridges close by will be lit; the B1040 and Low Road.

My overall summary would be

The Parish Council will continue to press the relevant parties to provide as much mitigation on the section of the A14 as it passes north of the village. In addition the Parish Council will advise parishioners how to go about influencing the powers that be with details of the remaining consultation process.