A14: Histon To Girton Widening

10 April 2013, 11:38 | Updated: 10 April 2013, 15:23

The Highways Agency has announced that one of the most congested parts of the A14 will be widened in 2014.

An additional lane will be built along the A14 westbound between Histon and Girton.

It is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

The £3.06 million project is one of four transport improvement schemes being implemented by the government across the East of England.

Information released by The Highways Agency reads: "An additional lane will be added on the A14 Histon (junction 32) to Girton (junction 31) route in the westbound direction. 

This scheme will be linked to the tranche 2 scheme that is being undertaken in the westbound direction. 

This scheme will support the Northstowe Phase 1 development, which has the potential to create 582 jobs and 1,480 new homes by 2020. 

It supports the gateways of Felixstowe Port and Harwich Port. 

It also supports the outputs from the A14 Challenge study, providing early improvements consistent with the new A14 major improvement scheme announced by the Transport Secretary on 18 July 2012."

There are long term plans for a £1.5 billion pound upgrade of the A14 between Ellington and Fen Ditton.

A number of smaller-scale improvements are also planned along the road, such as electronic warning signs warning of congestion.

Alex Plant, Executive Director for Transport at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "This is very welcome news and follows the close working between the Council and the Department for Transport and the Highways Agency.

This section of the A14 and its junctions are in desperate need of improvement.

Today’s announcements are part of the plans to put in place some short-term measures to alleviate some of the most pressing problems on the A14. 

However, the longer-term plans for enhancements to the A14, along with supporting rail and public transport improvements remain critical if we are to reduce congestion, improve safety and support growth. 

Cambridgeshire County Council, with its partners, will continue to work with Government to accelerate the longer term solution for this major transport corridor which is vital for the local, regional and wider UK economy."

The Highways Agency has also announced that the A1/A47 Wansford southbound slip road is to be upgraded at a cost of around £700,000.

This is also expected to be completed during 2014.

A statement from the Highways Agency reads: "The solution will allow for a two lane exit onto the A47 eastbound carriageway from the A1 southbound exit slip road. 

Part time signals will be in place on the roundabout of the A47 and A1 southbound exit slip road. 

These measures will reduce the amount of traffic queuing on the A1 southbound exit and onto the A1 southbound mainline. 

The scheme will support growth as detailed within the South Kesteven Core Strategy and has the potential to help facilitate the delivery of aproximately 5,000 jobs and 3,000 homes within a 10km radias of the site by 2020."