A14 Cambridge to improvement scheme What’s happening in Huntingdon?

June 2018 The A14 provides a vital road transport corridor between the West Midlands and East Anglia Content and is of local, regional, national The overall scheme 4 and international significance. What’s happening in Huntingdon? 6 Work to improve the section Pathfinder and Mill Common link roads 10 between Cambridge and Around Huntingdon train station 12 Huntingdon officially started in Views Common link road 14 Viaduct removal 16 November 2016 and the new A14 Traffic models 18 bypass is expected to open to Benefits to Huntingdon 23 traffic by the end of 2020. Timeline of work 24 During construction 26

Work in Huntingdon is expected to complete by early 2022, dependant on the completion of the new A14 bypass.

2 3 The A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme

The section of the road between Cambridge and Huntingdon carries a high level of commuter as well as long-distance traffic and A1 provides a strategic link from the A1(M) to the North of and the M11 motorway to London and the South East.

It carries around 85,000 vehicles per day; 26% of this is HGV traffic Alconbury (against the national average of 10%). It is frequently congested and traffic is often disrupted by breakdowns, accidents and roadworks.

D3 Woolley To address this, we are: A141 � Building a major new 12 mile bypass to the south of Huntingdon S2 between Swavesey and Brampton Huntingdon St Ives � Widening the A1 between Brampton and Alconbury A14 � Widening the existing A14 between Swavesey and Milton � Improving junctions at Bar Hill, Swavesey, Girton, Histon and Ellington Milton D3 The Hemingfords Brampton � Removing the A14 viaduct in Huntingdon D2 Existing A14 � Building new access roads for local traffic Godmanchester Fenstanton Once complete, the scheme will: � Relieve congestion, cutting up to 20 minutes off journeys Fen Drayton Swavesey � Unlock local and national economic growth Buckden D3 � Connect communities D3 D2 � Improve the environment in Huntingdon The Offords � Help to create a positive legacy for the region A1 Conington Northstowe Hilton New development

S2 A1198 D3 Boxworth Lolworth Histon Bar Hill D4 Milton Girton Huntingdon southern bypass East Coast Mainline railway A14 River Great Ouse A1 widening S2 Single 2 lane carriageway D3 A14 on-line improvements D2 Dual 2 lane carriageway Cambridge northern bypass M11 D3 Dual 3 lane carriageway Cambridge Local access roads D4 Dual 4 lane carriageway A428

4 5

© Crown copyright and database rights 2017 What’s happening in Huntingdon?

Completed in 1975, the A14 road and viaduct dominates the centre of Huntingdon. The removal of the viaduct and construction of link roads are an important part of the A14 scheme and will benefit Huntingdon and its residents.

This is because: � The traffic that uses the A14 is a major contributor to noise and air quality impacts within Huntingdon � The viaduct constrains access and development to properties and land nearby � The viaduct requires ongoing and costly maintenance, which is not an efficient use of public money � The removal of the viaduct will improve some views of Huntingdon, particularly from the Huntingdon Conservation Area, some listed buildings and public rights of way

Once the new A14 is built, the viaduct will become redundant. The option to retain the viaduct was considered during the development of the scheme, but as this would significantly reduce the scheme benefits for Huntingdon and its residents, this was discounted.

This is where the proposed changes are to take place.

For more detail see page 8.

6 7 The work in Huntingdon includes:

n A new Mill Common link road n Removal of the A14 viaduct and work around the station n A new Views Common link road

Around Huntingdon station For more detail see page 12 and 13.

Views Common link road Proposed new Pathfinder and Mill Common link roads For more detail see pages 14 and 15. For more detail see page 10 and 11.

8 9 Pathfinder and Mill Common link roads

Existing layout

A14 Existing Mill Common road

Proposed new layout

New Pathfinder link road

New Mill Common link road

Pathfinder link road - A new link road will tie the Mill Common link road - A new link road will join Huntingdon ring road to the existing A14 in the the Edison Bell Way junction to the new Pathfinder area west of the Mill Common underpass. link road. This will follow the line of the A14, but at a lower level.

10 11 Around Huntingdon train station

Existing layout A14 viaduct

B1514 Station access road Brampton Road

Edison Bell Way

Proposed new layout Viaduct removed

New public transport hub

Huntingdon train station Removal of the A14 viaduct We are proposing a new public transport The new A14 bypass will open to traffic hub and station forecourt area and are by the end of 2020. Once the new road is discussing this with Network Rail. We will also open, we will be able to remove the viaduct construct a new access from Mill Common that crosses the East Coast Main Line and link road to the train station car park. Brampton Road. The remaining sections of the old A14 will be detrunked (handed over to become part of the County Council local road network).

12 13 Views Common link road

Existing layout

A14

Police and fire HQ

B1514 Proposed new layout

Water tower

A14 removed

New Views Common link road

A new link road will connect Hinchingbrooke Park Road to the current A14 (via a roundabout) to the north of the police and fire headquarters and emergency services buildings.

14 15 Viaduct removal

The removal of the A14 viaduct over the East Coast Main Line and Brampton Road bridge is a complex engineering challenge.

We are working closely with Network Rail, Cambridgeshire County Council and District Council to ensure the work is planned as efficiently and safely as possible while minimising disruption.

A detailed programme is still being developed with Network Rail and our contractors, but we expect the removal to follow these steps:

1. Installation of a protection deck This will be installed underneath the viaduct as a safety measure to protect the East Coast Main Line and Brampton Road while we are preparing this part of the viaduct for removal. 2. Preparation work and installation of the lifting system Once the new A14 is complete, the old A14 will be closed between Godmanchester (junction 24) and Spittals (junction 23) and preparation work, such as removing central reserve barriers, will start. At this point, we will also install the system needed to lift and remove sections of the viaduct. 3. Removal of first section The first section of the viaduct to be removed will be the section over the East Coast Main Line and Brampton Road. This section will be removed over a number of Saturday nights to allow the trains to run as normal. A more detailed programme will be shared as soon as it is available. 4. Removal of second section The second section of the viaduct to be removed will be the section over the Landro car park, next to the water tower. 5. Removal of third section The third section of the viaduct, over the Network Rail car park, will follow. To do this, we will need to close the station access from Brampton Road; the new station southern access will be in place by this time.

16 17 N Traffic flow - wider Huntingdon area

A141 19,300 19,300 Key 53,400 24,600 15,900 17,600 16,900 16,800 2035 2035 A14 46,000 21,000 13,200 14,900 Without With 15,900 Scheme Scheme 43,100 12,200 Key 2020 2020 N Without With 18,200 18,700 Scheme Scheme 15,900 16,400 2014 Base 29,600 28,900 A141 19,000 Green numbers decrease in traffic 29,400 28,300 Red numbers increase in traffic 28,700 18,500 17,400 A141 16,000 15,100

53,400 24,600 15,900 17,600 15,000 A14 A1 46,00 21,00 13,200 14,900 A1123 B1514 43,100 12,200

18,200 18,700 A14 15,900 16,400 55,800 21,100 29,600 28,900 A141 A14 19,000 51,400 19,000 18,800 16,400 29,400 28,300 47,900 17,000 14,600 28,700 15,900 18,500 17,400 18,600 8,700 16,000 15,100 16,600 9,600 15,000 16,000 A1

A1123 2018 right database and Copyright © Crown data OS Contains 7,500 4,100 7,400 4,000 90,400 35,500 90,400 35,500 7,400 80,300 32,200 A14 80,300 32,200 55,800 21,100 B1514 19,500 17,000 72,800 72,800 17,100 17,000 51,400 19,000 A14 18,800 16,400 1,900 700 16,200 47,900 17,000 14,600 1,100 1,200 15,900 1,100 18,600 8,700 16,600 9,600 A14 11,300 9,700 16,000 10,500 9,700 9,600

7,500 4,100 7,400 4,000 90,400 35,500 We’ve prepared traffic forecasts for an Results show that, on the whole, traffic flows are part of the A141 Huntingdon Northern Bypass. This is because these new roads 90,400 35,500 7,400 80,300 32,200 opening year of 2020 and 15 years beyond expected to decrease in Huntingdon town centre The removal of the old A14 viaduct and will now carry town centre traffic. 80,300 32,200 B1514 19,500 17,000 72,800 this date (2035), allowing for scenarios as a result of the new A14, with a significant subsequent changes to the road network in Elsewhere, traffic will be reduced. 72,800 without the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon reduction in flows through Godmanchester, on the Huntingdon will cause some increase in traffic on 17,100 17,000 1,900 700 improvement scheme and with the scheme. B1514 through Brampton and on the Huntingdon Brampton Road between the new Views Common 16,200 1,100 1,200 Inner Ring Road. There is a small increase on link road and the new Mill Common link road. 1,100 18 19 A14 11,300 9,700 10,500 9,700 9,600

Huntingdon Wider Area: AADT 2 -Way Flows Traffic flow - Huntingdon town centre

Key

2035 2035 5,900 6,600 Without With 4,700 5,200 Scheme Scheme 6,500 Key 2020 2020 N Without With Scheme Scheme 11,100 9,700 9,300 8,400 2014 Base 9,000 Green numbers decrease in traffic Red numbers increase in traffic

A141

53,400 24,600 14,700 14,000 15,900 17,600 A14 46,00 21,00 8,300 12,200 13,200 14,900 13,000 43,100 12,200 - 12,700 - 10,400 18,200 18,700 - 15,900 16,400 16,300 7,000 29,600 28,900 A141 19,000 13,900 6,100 29,400 28,300 6,800 10,600 16,000 28,700 5,000 8,500 4,900 12,800 8,900 18,500 17,400

20,800 25,300 10,600 7,600 16,000 15,100 17,600 23,000 10,800 15,000 A1 15,800 A1123 17,200 12,400 14,700 10,300 - 12,800 14,700 A14 - 10,900 11,000 11,500 55,800 21,100 - - 12,800 9,200 9,600 51,400 19,000 A14 18,800 16,400 - 10,900

7,800 2018 right database and Copyright © Crown data OS Contains 47,900 - 17,000 14,600 18,600 8,700 15,900 16,600 9,600 18,600 8,700 16,000 16,600 9,600 17,000 9,200 5,3005,300 9,5009,500 16,000 13,900 7,400 4,600 8,800 4,600 8,800 13,900 3,7003,682

7,500 4,100 7,400 4,000 90,400 35,500 90,400 35,500 7,400 80,300 32,200 80,300 32,200 B1514 19,500 17,000 72,800 72,800 17,100 17,000 1,900 700 16,200 1,100 1,200 1,100 20 21 A14 11,300 9,700 10,500 9,700 9,600

Huntingdon Wider Area: AADT 2 -Way Flows Benefits to Huntingdon

The traffic from the A14 contributes to the issues of noise and air pollution within Huntingdon.

Removal of the viaduct and building new link roads should see: � A reduction in noise Areas of Huntingdon are classed as ‘Noise Important Areas’. This means that parts of Huntingdon suffer from some of the worst road traffic noise in the country as a result of the A14 passing over the town. The removal of the A14 and its traffic should see noise levels reduce to the extent that Huntingdon is no longer designated as a Noise Important Area. � A reduction in air pollution Areas of Huntingdon are also classed as an ‘Air Quality Management Area’. This means that parts of Huntingdon exceed the relevant air quality objectives. An air quality management area is designated as such by the Local Authority, in this case Huntingdonshire District Council. The reduction in traffic through the removal of the A14 should see pollution reduce to the extent that Huntingdon is no longer designated as an Air Quality Management Area. � An improved town centre The viaduct currently acts as a dividing wall through Huntingdon. Its removal will open up development opportunities, improve connectivity and remove the height restriction currently imposed under the viaduct. � Improved station facilities Once the viaduct is removed, a new public transport hub and pedestrianised station forecourt will be built, improving access to the station and public transport links, and creating an improved gateway to Huntingdon for those visiting by train. This is subject to discussions with Network Rail.

22 23 Summer 2018 Archaeological mitigation in Mill Common Timeline of work

Preparation work including utility diversions and We have a number of preparation activities to complete ahead of Spring 2019 construction starting in 2019. vegetation clearance

� Archaeology. Mill Common is known to be of archaeological value. Investigations will be undertaken to help us understand previous uses of the land. Construction begins on the Views Common � Utility diversions (such as gas, electric and water). There are Summer 2019 and Pathfinder link roads extensive utilities in Huntingdon and these need to be diverted before we start building work.

Completion of the road improvements in Huntingdon are dependent on the removal of the viaduct. This can only take place once the Preparation for and installation of the protection Winter 2019/2020 new A14 bypass is complete, but construction of the Views Common deck underneath the viaduct over Christmas 2019 and Pathfinder link roads will begin in summer 2019.

Preparing and installing the protection deck, to remove the viaduct is an extensive piece of work and will begin in winter 2019, with actual Dependant on the completion of the new bypass, removal to start following the completion of the new A14 bypass. 2020 work will begin on Mill Common link road and Work to complete the links road and work around Huntingdon around Huntingdon Station station is expected to complete in 2022, with the viaduct removal completed in Christmas 2021. Removal of Huntingdon viaduct begins

Removal of the viaduct is a challenging piece of engineering, crossing both an existing road (Brampton Road) and the East Coast Christmas 2020 Removal of Huntingdon viaduct continues Main Line. We will try to minimise the effect on train travel by working outside of scheduled timetables. We are currently in discussions with Network Rail to determine how and when the viaduct removal takes place. Work will complete on the Views Common, We will continue to keep road users and residents informed as work 2021 Pathfinder and Mill Common link roads and progresses and more detailed timelines can be confirmed. Further the new station access road public exhibitions will take place ahead of work starting in 2019.

Work to remove the viaduct will continue. 2022 The station forecourt and Edison Bellway junction will also be completed

24 25 Construction noise We will make every effort possible to keep construction noise to a During construction minimum, especially where we are working close to properties.

We will do our very best to minimise any impacts while work is To ensure the noise generated from site machinery is kept to a carried out. minimum, the equipment used will be modern and as efficient as possible. Code of construction practice We have worked with local authorities to produce a code of For safety reasons many of the site vehicles have to be fitted with construction practice. an audible reversing alarm, which cannot be switched off. Wherever possible we will plan activities to avoid reversing manoeuvres. Compliance to the code is a requirement of the Development Consent Order and helps ensure that impacts on the local We will be working with the local authority environmental health environment and those living close to the scheme are kept to a teams to submit Control of Pollution Act (Section 61) applications. minimum during construction. It includes how we manage things These contain agreed management for items such as: such as air quality, vibration and drainage. � Working hours � Permitted noise and vibration levels from construction activities Where reasonably practical, site operating hours will be: � 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday These are reviewed regularly throughout the duration of the work. � 8am to 4pm, Saturday Air Quality Due to the constraints of working over the East Coast Main Line and Some of our work has the potential to cause dust and we have Brampton Road, night work will be necessary to remove the viaduct made commitments within the Development Consent Order (DCO) and connect the new roads into the existing road network. to monitor air quality.

We are working hard to ensure the impact of this work is minimised To reduce this risk we will use a number of methods, including: as far as reasonably practical. � Planting or covering over topsoil storage areas � Using cutting equipment fitted with dust extraction and water suppression � Installing wheel wash facilities and road brushes to minimise the deposit of debris from our vehicles to the local road network

26 27 If you need help accessing this or any other Highways England information, please call 0300 123 5000 and we will help you.

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