The Highways Agency has published details of its proposed improvement scheme for the Huntingdon – Cambridge stretch of the A14, a topic I first looked at here and then here (when the idea of tolls was scrapped).

The new plans are will now form the basis of a public consultation that’s expected to last until 15 June 2014, after which the Highways Agency hopes to begin the Development Consent Order application process, with a view to starting work in late 2016.

What’s being proposed?

You can find full details and maps of the proposed scheme on the GOV.UK website here, but here’s a summary of the changes being proposed:

The Highways Agency’s proposed route for the A14 improvement scheme between Huntingdon and Cambridge (click map to expand)

• Widening the A1 between Brampton and Alconbury over a length of approximately 3½ miles, from the existing two lane dual carriageway to a three lane dual carriageway. This would be achieved between Brampton and Brampton Hut by constructing a new road to the west of the existing A1, with the existing A1 road becoming part of the new A14 Huntingdon Southern Bypass
• A new Huntingdon Southern Bypass of approximately 12½ miles in length, which would provide a two lane dual carriageway between Ellington and the A1 at Brampton and a three lane dual carriageway between Brampton and Swavesey; this would remove a large proportion of traffic from the section of the existing A14 between Huntingdon and Swavesey as well as Brampton Hut and Spittals interchange. The new bypass would include a raised viaduct section of road running across the river Great Ouse and a bridge over the East Coast Mainline railway. it would include junctions with the A1 at Brampton and with the A1198 at Godmanchester
• Downgrading the existing A14 trunk road (de-trunking to county road status) over approximately 12 miles between Ellington and Swavesey, as well as between Alconbury and Spittals interchange
• Huntingdon Town Centre improvements; to include the demolition of the A14 rail viaduct over the East Coast Mainline railway and Brampton Road in Huntingdon. A through route would be maintained broadly along the line of the existing A14 through Huntingdon, making use of the Brampton Road bridge to cross the railway line and by constructing a new link road from Brampton Road to connect with the A14 to the west
• Widening of the existing A14 over approximately 5½ miles to provide three lanes in each direction between Swavesey and Bar Hill and to four lanes in each direction between Bar Hill and Girton
• Widening of a 1½ mile section of the Cambridge Northern Bypass between Histon and Milton
• Improvement of existing A14 junctions at Swavesey, Bar Hill and Girton; to improve the capacity of the road, ensures compatibility with adjacent proposed developments such as Northstowe, and connections for non-motorised users
• A new local access road, approximately five miles in length, to be constructed as a dual carriageway between Fen Drayton and Swavesey and as a single carriageway between Swavesey and Girton. The road would provide a route for local traffic between Cambridge and Huntingdon as well as providing access to properties and businesses along the corridor.

Full details on the GOV.UK website — and anyone wishing to submit comments online can do so here.