Consultation response on A14 Motorway Status
The Deputy Leader AGREED to submit the following response to the Planning Inspectorate:
South Cambridgeshire District Council supports the proposed amendment to the Development Consent Order (DCO) to amend the status of the A14 between the M11 at Girton and the new Ellington junction and the A1 between Alconbury and Brampton from all-purpose trunk road to motorway.
The Council recognises that the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme is already designed and being built to a high specification and that slow vehicles, which would be prohibited from using a motorway, are accommodated by the local access road and provision for non-motorised users.
It is also recognised that the changes would provide Highways England more control over traffic speeds to further improve safety for road users and achieve more consistent journey times. This may deliver benefits to the local and national economy, and local residents by keeping traffic on the most appropriate roads and out of villages and parts of Cambridge, and in terms of noise and air quality for these residents. Addressing congestion and improving traffic flow on the A14 is in line with recommended actions in the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP).
It is understood that the proposed amendment to the DCO is a non-material change that would not alter the existing provisions and requirements in the DCO which Highways England will need to fulfil in delivering the A14 Improvement Scheme.
On this basis and for the reasons set out above, the Council supports the application for a change to motorway status.