The following is a quote from Heidi Allen’s website. As you know, she is one of our local MPs and is Member for South Cambridgeshire. The other being Jonathan Djanogly, Member for Huntingdon.
I have been contacted by a number of constituents concerned about possible delays to the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Improvement Scheme and therefore sought an update on the project’s progress
Highways England have confirmed they remain committed to the previously communicated start date of 2020/2021. Highways England have also given me an assurance that an announcement on the preferred route will be made later this year followed by Statutory Consultation which will run for approximately six weeks.
The perceived delay is a result of the project being asked to fully consider the outputs of the A1 East of England Strategic Study, widening the scope of the project. However, whilst this additional work is undertaken, Highways England continue to work closely with Cambridgeshire County Council and neighbouring authorities on design aspects, de-trunking and potential changes to the Public Rights of Way around the A428 scheme.
It is obviously important that the two projects are aligned and work well together and I will continue to monitor progress closely. Initial results to the A1 East of England Strategic Study are expected later this month with updates to key stakeholders including Parish Councils shortly afterwards.
The “A1 East of England Strategic Study” she refers to, appears to involve a long-term study of the upgrade of the A1, between the M25 junction to the start of the A1M North of Huntingdon. It covers the cost and feasibility of turning the entire section into a continuous A1M, and may well involve re-routing the A1 significantly. Clearly, this would have a significant effect on the A428 upgrade route, costs and timing. This appears to be part of the substantial post-Brexit infrastructure investment.
To access the appropriate part of the Highways England website to read the latest update just Click Here