A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme What’s happening in Huntingdon?
August 2019 The A14 provides a vital road Content corridor between the West Midlands and East Anglia and The overall scheme 4 What’s happening in Huntingdon? 6 is of local, regional, national and Pathfinder and Mill Common Link Roads 10 international significance. Around Huntingdon train station 12 Work to improve the section Views Common Link Road 14 between Cambridge and Viaduct removal 16 Huntingdon officially started in Traffic models 18 November 2016 and the new A14 Benefits to Huntingdon 23 bypass is expected to open to Timeline of work 24 traffic by the end of 2019. 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 England and the M11 motorway to London and the South East.
It carries around 85,000 vehicles per day; 26% of this is HGV traffic Alcon ury (against the national average of 10%). It is frequently congested and traffic is often disrupted by breakdowns, accidents and roadworks.
D3 oolley To address this, we are: A141 � Building a major new 12 mile bypass to the south of Huntingdon S2 between Swavesey and Brampton Huntingdon t es � 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 llin ton Milton D3 e e in fords ra pton � Removing the A14 viaduct in Huntingdon D2 Existing A14 � Building new access roads for local traffic od anc ester enstanton Once complete, the scheme will: � Relieve congestion, cutting up to 20 minutes off journeys en rayton a esey � Unlock local and national economic growth uc den D3 � Connect communities D3 D2 � Improve the environment in Huntingdon e ffords � Help to create a positive legacy for the region A1 Conin ton ort sto e ilton e de elop ent
S2 A1198 D3 o ort ol ort iston ar ill D4 ilton irton 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 a idge Local access roads D4 Dual 4 lane carriageway A428
4 5
Cro n cop right and database rights 201 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 changes will 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 n A new station car park n A new Pathfinder Link Road
Around Huntingdon station For more detail see page 12 and 13.
Views Common Link Road Pathfinder and Mill For more detail see pages 14 and 15. Common Link Roads For more detail see page 10 and 11.
This map is based on Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller Scale 1:2500 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Highways 8 England 100018928,9 2015. 50m 0m 50m 100m 150m Pathfinder and Mill Common Link Roads 10m
Existing layout
Huntingdon Ring Road . A14
Existing Mill Common Road
New Pathfinder Link Road
Mill Common
Proposed new layout
New Pathfinder Link Road
New Mill Common Link Road
New Mill Common Link Road (existing A14)
Pathfinder Link Road - A new link road will tie Mill Common Link Road - A new link road will Key the Huntingdon ring road to the existing A14 in the join the Edison Bell Way junction to the new New or altered footpath area west of the Mill Common underpass. Pathfinder Link Road. This will follow the line of the Existing footpath (no change) A14, but at a lower level.
10 11 Around Huntingdon train station Edison Bell Way
Existing layout A14 viaduct B1514 Brampton Road
B1514 Station access road Brampton Road
Viaduct removed Edison Bell Way
Proposed new layout Viaduct removed New public transport hub
New Mill Common Link Road (existing A14)
New public transport hub
Huntingdon train station (this work is subject Removal of the A14 viaduct to approval by Network Rail) The new A14 bypass will open to traffic We’re proposing a new public transport by the end of 2019. Once the new road is New station car park access hub and station forecourt area, which we’re open, we will be able to remove the viaduct discussing with Network Rail. We will also that crosses the East Coast Main Line and construct a new access from the Mill Common Brampton Road. The remaining sections Link Road to the train station car park. of the old A14 will be detrunked (handed over to become part of the Cambridgeshire County Council local road network). Key New or altered footpath Existing footpath (no change)
12 13 Views Common Link Road Existing A14
Existing layout
A14
Section of A14 to be removed Police and fire HQ
New Views Common Link Road B1514 Proposed new layout
Water tower
A14 removed
New Views Common Link Road Hinchingbrooke Park Road
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, where it will connect to B1514 Brampton Road Spittals junction.
We’ll also be installing an attenuation pond in Hinchingbrooke loop. Attentuation ponds help to asborb Key run-off water from roads and reduce flooding risk. New or altered footpath Existing footpath (no change)
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 Huntingdonshire 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 delivery team, 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 the 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 Traffic flow - wider Huntingdon area
2035 2035 Green numbers Without With decrease in traffic Scheme Scheme Key 2020 2020 Red numbers Without With increase in traffic Scheme Scheme 15,900 17,600 2014 Base 53,400 24,600 13,200 14,900 *One Way Link A14 46,000 21,000 12,200 43,100 A141 18,200 18,700 19,300 19,300 15,900 16,400 16,900 16,800 19,000 29,600 28,900 15,900 29,400 28,300 28,700 A141
A1 A1123
A14 18,500 17,400 16,000 15,100 15,000 55,800 21,100 A14 18,800 16,400
51,400 19,000 17,000 14,600 2018 right database and Copyright © Crown data OS Contains 47,900 15,900
18,600 8,700 16,600 9,600 7,500 4,100 16,000 7,400 4,000 7,400 90,400 35,500 80,300 32,200 1,900 700 72,800 11,300 9,700 1,100 1,200 19,500 17,000 10,500 9,700 1,100 17,100 17,000 A14 9,600 16,200
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 opening year of 2020 and 15 years beyond expected to decreaseHun in Huntingdontingdo townn W centreide r Area: 24 HouThe removalr AA ofD theT old A14 viaductContai nands O S data © Crowwilln Cnowopy carryright antownd d acentretabas etraffic. right 2 019 this date (2035), allowing for scenarios as a result of the new A14, with a significant Flows subsequent changes to the road network in Elsewhere, traffic will be reduced. without the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon reduction in flows through Godmanchester, on the Huntingdon will cause some increase in traffic on improvement scheme and with the scheme. B1514 through Brampton and on the Huntingdon Brampton Road between the new Views Common Inner Ring Road. There is a small increase on Link Road and the new Mill Common Link Road.
18 19 Traffic flow - Huntingdon town centre
2035 2035 Without With Scheme Scheme 5,900 6,600 Key 2020 2020 4,700 5,200 Without With Scheme Scheme 6,500 2014 Base
11,100* 9,700* *One Way Link 9,300* 8,400* 9,000* Green numbers decrease in traffic Red numbers increase in traffic
14,700* 14,000* 8,300* 12,200* 6,800 10,600 13,000* 5,000 8,500 4,900
- 12,700 16,300 7,000 - 10,400 13,900 6,100 - 12,800* 8,900* 16,000 10,600* 7,600* 20,800 25,300 10,800* 17,600 23,000 15,800 17,200* 12,400* 14,700* 10,300* 14,700* 17,000* 9,200*
11,000 11,500 13,900* 7,400* 2018 right database and Copyright © Crown data OS Contains 9,200 9,600 - 24,400 13,900* 7,800 - 22,100 - 12,800 - - 10,900 - 5,300 9,500 4,600 8,800 18,600 8,700 3,700 16,600 9,600 16,000
Huntingdon : 24 Hour AADT Flows Contains OS data © Crown Copyright and database right 2019
20 21 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 and improve connectivity. The current weight restriction will remain through Huntingdon. � 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 Traffic management installed on ring road. Summer 2019 Timeline of work Night closures begin.
In 2018, we started a number of preparatory activities ahead of the main work starting. These included: Construction begins on the Views Common and Pathfinder Link Roads. � Archaeology. Mill Common is known to be of archaeological Utility diversions continue. value. We’ve carried out archaeological investigations to help us understand previous uses of the land. � Utility diversions (such as gas, electric and water). There are extensive utilities in Huntingdon and we need to divert these Night closures begin on Brampton Road before we start building work. Autumn 2019 in preparation for viaduct removal.
We’ve completed archaeological field work and continue work to divert utilities. Completion of the road improvements in Huntingdon are dependent on the removal of the viaduct. Preparation for and installation of the protection We can only remove this once the new A14 bypass is deck underneath the viaduct over Christmas 2019. complete, but construction of the Views Common and Winter 2019/2020 Huntingdon Southern Bypass opens. Pathfinder Link Roads will begin in summer 2019.
Preparing and installing the mobile protection deck, to remove the viaduct, is an extensive piece of work and will begin in Dependant on the completion of the new bypass, winter 2019, with actual removal to start following the completion work will begin on Mill Common Link Road and of the new A14 bypass. We expect work to complete the link 2020 around Huntingdon Station roads and work around Huntingdon station to finish in spring 2022, with the viaduct removal completing in autumn 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 Main Line. We will minimise the effect on train Removal of Huntingdon viaduct continues travel by working outside of scheduled timetables. We are currently in discussions with Network Rail to determine Work continues on the Views Common, Pathfinder how and when the viaduct removal takes place. 2021 and Mill Common Link Roads and the new station access road
Work to complete the viaduct, station forecourt 2022 and new roads complete
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.
For further information on this scheme:
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