Robert Sturdy

I have now had a reply from Chris Mole, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with the Department of Transport, regarding my letter to him objecting about delays to improvements on the A14. This is what he said:

Dear Robert,

Thank you for your letter of 9 October regarding the A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton improvement scheme.

I accept that the revised timetable is disappointing – to open the new strategic route to traffic in winter 2015/16, with the remaining works anticipated to complete by the end of 2016, but can assure you that the Highways Agency is continuing to work to a very challenging timescale.

As  you appreciate, this is a large and complex scheme. There are a wide range of issues being raised by stakeholders and the public as we move through the statutory process. These are likely to lead to a Public Inquiry in the summer of  next year. With this in mind, the Highways Agency revised its timetable for delivery, enabling them to carry out further work to assess future traffic flows, to give the public the maximum permitted time to consider the complex and detailed plans that have been published, and to allow additional time to respond to objections and prepare for a Public Inquiry.

These steps have  been taken in the interests of delivering the scheme as quickly as possibly. Clearly, the statutory process will run its own course, but the steps that have been taken are focused on ensuring this process runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. And I can assure you that we are doing everything we can to deliver this important scheme in the most expedient way.

Best wishes,

Chris Mole

Pic: Courtesy of Cambridge Evening News