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Explanation of the Scheme
A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick Improvement
Explanation of the Scheme and Non-Technical Summary of the Environmental Statement
The Highways Agency is proposing to improve the A428 to the west of Cambridge, between the Caxton Gibbet roundabout and the existing dual carriageway at Hardwick. This leaflet describes the scheme and summarises the associated Environmental Statement in non-technical language.
Purpose of the Environmental Statement
The Environmental Statement describes the road proposals and their effects on the environment, and outlines measures to minimise the adverse effects. Its purpose is to ensure that the public understands the proposals and the impact they may have on the environment. The public is given the opportunity to express an opinion on them before the Secretary of State decides whether to proceed with the scheme.
The Environmental Statement is issued in accordance with European Legislation. The Statement should be read in conjunction with the draft Highways Act Orders for the scheme, which are being published at the same time.
The full Environmental Statement will be deposited for inspection at various locations as detailed on the back of this leaflet.
The Need for the Scheme
The A428, together with the A421 and A14, provides an important east-west route between Milton Keynes and Cambridge.
The A428 between the Caxton Gibbet roundabout and the existing dual carriageway at Hardwick is a substandard single carriageway road that currently carries approximately 19,000 vehicles per day at Caxton Gibbet and 21,000 vehicles per day at Hardwick. It is often used as an alternative route to the heavily trafficked A14. Congestion occurs, particularly during the morning rush hour and the accident record is above that which would be expected for this type of road.
By 2006, traffic on the A428 is expected to have increased to 27,500 vehicles a day east of Cambourne increasing to 31,000 west of Hardwick.
Traffic from the new Cambourne development makes a significant contribution towards the predicted increase. Severe congestion could be expected on the single carriageway sections of A428. The accident rate could be expected to worsen.
Proposals for an improvement to the A428 were first put forward in November 1999 when a Public Consultation exercise was held. This led to the announcement of a Preferred Route in June 2000.
The Proposed Scheme
The A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick Improvement would provide a dual carriageway between the Caxton Gibbet roundabout and the end of the existing dual carriageway at Hardwick. It would connect to both ends of the length of dual carriageway known as the A428 Cambourne Improvement currently being built as part of the Cambourne development.
Between Caxton Gibbet and the new dual carriageway at Cambourne the scheme would run to the north of the existing road and would be 1.48 km (0.92 miles) long. The side road leading to Elsworth is being diverted as part of the A428 Cambourne Improvement.
To the east of the Cambourne Improvement the scheme would be 6.16 km (3.83 miles) long and would continue to the existing dual carriageway at Hardwick. From Cambourne it would run to the south of the existing trunk road to just before Childerley Gate, where it would cross the existing A428 before continuing on the north side to Hardwick. The existing A428 would be realigned to pass over the proposed dual carriageway. The side road leading to Bourn would be diverted and carried over the proposed dual carriageway on a bridge. A full junction allowing all turning movements would be provided at Hardwick.
Most of the existing A428 would remain to form part of a local road between Cambourne and Cambridge.
A map of the A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick Improvement is now available to view.
Environmental Effects
At each end the scheme would lie within an Area of Best Landscape as designated by Cambridgeshire County Council. At the eastern end the scheme also encroaches into the Green Belt. Construction of the scheme would result in some loss of existing trees and hedges. Existing views from properties and from public rights of way would be adversely affected. These effects would be reduced in the long term by new planting.
The scheme would affect some existing trees, hedges and roadside vegetation that serve as wildlife habitats. Extensive areas of proposed new planting would however in time create new wildlife habitats.
Approximately 52 hectares of agricultural farm land would be taken for the road with a resultant effect on farming operations; land would also be taken from Bourn Airfield. Some potential archaeological sites currently identified by crop marks would be affected. Excavations would be undertaken in advance of the construction works to record and protect finds uncovered.
Balancing ponds would be formed to control the outflow rate of the drainage from the dual carriageway into the adjacent watercourses.
With the predicted growth in traffic volume over time, traffic noise and air pollution would increase even if no improvement were to be carried out. Few properties are expected to experience a greater increase in noise due to the scheme and many in Hardwick would benefit due to the increased distance from the trunk road.
The proposals are generally away from the existing road and would therefore cause little traffic disruption during construction. Short term local disruption may occur at bridge sites and near to property.
The Exhibition
Free exhibitions of the proposals will be held in Dry Drayton and Bourn at the following times:
- Dry Drayton Village Hall
- Friday 7th March 2003
- 1pm-8pm
- Bourn Village Hall
- Saturday 8th March 2003
- 10am-4pm
Representatives of the Highways Agency and their Consulting Engineers, Parsons Brinckerhoff, will be available at the exhibitions to explain the proposals and answer questions.
Summary of Environmental Effects
| Topic | Key Issue | Key Mitigation Proposed | Residual Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Quality | Levels of air pollutants for local residents. | Traffic would be moved further away from most residents. | No change in air quality for most people with some local improvement. |
| Cultural Heritage and Archaeology | Loss of known and suspected archaeological sites. | Survey work will be carried out to establish what mitigation measures are needed and a watching brief during construction. | Effect will be dependent on the quality of archaeological finds made. |
| Disruption due to Construction | Noise of working, dust and pollution. | Dust and noise generated during construction would be kept to the necessary minimum by the contractor. | This is a temporary effect. |
| Ecology and Nature Conservation | Loss of arable, mature hedges, hedgerow trees and copses along route. Impact on two protected species. | Landscape planting would replace habitat loss. Severance of habitat would be reduced by wildlife crossing tunnels. | Planted areas would develop and mature to provide additional wildlife habitats. |
| Landscape Effects | Encroachment into Areas of Best Landscape, loss of some woodland, other vegetation and effects on field patterns. | Extensive planting comprising substantial woodland and hedgerow. | Over time the planted areas would develop to enhance the landscape. |
| Visual Impacts | Presence of overbridges, embankments and lighting columns at roundabouts. | Extensive planting and earth mounding. | Planted areas would develop and mature with time to provide effective screening. |
| Agricultural Land Use | Permanent loss of 52 hectares of agricultural land. | None. | Permanent loss of arable farmland. Some areas of severed land. |
| Traffic Noise and Vibration | Level of noise nuisance from road traffic for local residents. | Traffic would be moved further away from most residents. | Reduction in noise levels where road moves further away from most residents. |
| Pedestrians, Equestrians, Cyclists and Community Effects | Road safety for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians. | New footbridge at eastern end of scheme. New footpath/cycleway between Caxton Gibbet Roundabout and Elsworth Road. Existing A428 to become a less trafficked local road between Cambourne and Cambridge. | Safer conditions for non-vehicular traffic. Reduced community severance at Hardwick and for local road users at bridges near the new road. |
| Vehicle Travellers | High levels of stress and delays for users of existing road. | Provision of the dual carriageway. | Reduced levels of driver stress and improved journey time reliability. |
| Water Quality and Drainage | Discharge of drainage from the scheme. Control of pollution. | Balancing ponds would be provided to maintain run-off rates at current levels or less. | An improved standard of pollution control. |
| Policies and Plans | Policy at national, regional and local level. | Extensive planting and wildlife tunnels contribute to landscape and biodiversity policies. | Completion of improvement scheme would realise transport policies. Impacts on landscape and biodiversity policies reduce with time as planting develops and matures. |
The Published Scheme
Your Views
Anyone wishing to comment on the proposals should write to the Highways Agency at:
Heron House, 49-53 Goldington Road Bedford MK40 3LL
Or by e-mail to: frances.roberts@highways.gsi.gov.uk
It would help if letters could be headed 'A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick Improvement' and be received by 31st March 2003.
What Happens Next?
The draft Orders and Environmental Statement are being published at the same time. After considering all of the comments the Secretary of State for Transport may decide to hold a Public Inquiry. This would be held before an independent Inspector who would submit a report to the Secretary of State The Secretary of State would consider the report before deciding whether to proceed with the scheme.
A copy of a letter announcing his decision would be sent to all those who comment on the proposals.
Further Information
Copies of the draft Orders and the full Environmental Statement for the scheme may be inspected free of charge at the following locations during normal office hours:
- Cambridgeshire County Council
- Local Government Information Service, Room 022, Shire Hall, Castle Hill, Cambridge, CB3 0AP
- South Cambridgeshire District Council
- South Cambridgeshire Hall, 9-11 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 1PB
- Cambridge Central Library
- 7 Lion Yard, Cambridge, CB2 3QD
- The Highways Agency
- Heron House 49-53 Goldington Rd Bedford, MK40 3LL
- The Highways Agency
- Information Point, Ground Floor, Romney House, 43 Marsham Street, London, SW1P3HW
Copies of the full Environmental Statement for the scheme are also available for inspection at:
- Bourn Post Office
- 8 Short Street
- Hardwick Post Office
- Cambridge Road
- Papworth Everard Post Office
- 15 Ermine Street North
- Cambourne Concept Centre
Copies of the Environmental Statement may be purchased from the Highways Agency at the Bedford address above at a cost of £60. Supporting information is also available at various costs on request. Further copies of this non-technical summary may be obtained free of charge from the Highways Agency at Bedford.
