Highways Agency

A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick Improvement

Scheme Update

• Introduction
• Background
• The Problem
• Objectives
• The Project Management Structure
• Public Consultation
• Preferred Route Announcement
• Publication of draft Proposals
• Programme
• Next Stage

Introduction

The Highways Agency is proposing to improve the A428 between the Caxton Gibbet roundabout and Hardwick in Cambridgeshire.

The A428 is important to the local road network, linking the M1, A1, A14, A1198 and other local roads. The proposals will improve road safety by reducing congestion along this busy strategic route.

Background

• The new development at Cambourne provides, housing, social amenities and office premises for a new community.
• The planning consent for Cambourne required the developer to construct 2 kilometres of dual carriageway by the time the development reached a certain size. This section is now complete and open to traffic.
• Side road traffic currently has difficulty in joining the trunk road, particularly when turning right.
• By 2006, the present traffic flows of 18,000 per day are predicted to increase to 36,000 per day.
• Severe congestion could be expected on the unimproved sections of the A428 to either side of the Cambourne new dual carriageway.

The Problem

The problems associated with the section of the A428 between Caxton Gibbet and Hardwick are: -

• Inappropriate overtaking opportunities due to the single carriageway standards;
• Long delays at Childerley Gate roundabout and Hardwick roundabout, especially at peak times;
• Turning traffic at at-grade junctions being the main cause of accidents;
• Accidents rate and percentage of heavy goods vehicles higher than national average.
• Access a map showing the problem areas

1. West of Cambourne Dualling
   6 accidents of which 1 serious.
2. Cambourne Dualling to Knapwell Turn
   4 accidents of which 1 serious.
3. Knapwell Turn
   3 accidents involving vehicles turning at the junction.
4. Broadway Turn
   3 accidents involving vehicles turning at the junction.
5. Broadway Turn to Childerley Gate roundabout
   20 accidents of which 4 serious. 6 of these involved vehicles turning into the Airfield Business Park. Another 6 accidents involved vehicles turning into private accesses.
6. Childerley Gate roundabout
   4 accidents of which 1 serious. Three accidents involved traffic at the junction, and one accident involved vehicles turning at the pumping station.
7. Childerley Gate roundabout to Hardwick
   8 accidents of which 1 fatal. 5 accidents involved vehicles turning into private accesses.
8. Hardwick roundabout
   12 accidents of which 2 serious.
9. East of Hardwick (single carriageway)
   8 accidents of which 1 fatal and 3 serious. 5 accidents involvedvehicles turning into private accesses.

The main objectives of this project are….

• To improve road safety by reducing the number and severity of accidents
• To reduce congestion along the A428

Project Management Structure

The Highways Agency maintains, operates and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The Agency works closely with the local authorities and rail, coach, bus water and air operators to integrate its network with the rest of England's roads and other forms of transport.

The Agency currently looks after a network of some 6,500 miles of motorways and trunk roads in England, valued at about £55 billion.

Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd is a leading international engineering, design and management services consultancy with an annual turnover in excess of £41m. The company is part of the New York based Parsons Brinckerhoff Group - a global engineering, planning and construction management consultancy active in the transportation, power, building, environment and telecommunications sectors. The PB Group employs around 9,400 staff working in over 200 offices worldwide.

The company's specialist Transportation capability includes transportation planning; traffic management, control, telematics and communication systems; highway and bridge design and maintenance, development infrastructure; heavy rail, light rapid transit, metro and bus systems; airport and port facilities.

Public Consultation

Comments were invited from the general public, national and local organisations between 12 November 1999 and 17 December 1999. Exhibitions of the proposals were held at Hardwick Pavilion and Bourn Village Hall during that period. Over 500 responses to the consultation were received.

View Public Consultation document

Preferred Route

The preferred route was announced in June 2000.

Route Plan (69KB PDF)

Western Section - between the Caxton Gibbet roundabout and the Cambourne dual carriageway. The off line option to the north of the existing route was preferred as it moves the trunk road away from local residents resulting in environmental benefits.

Central Section - between the Cambourne dual carriageway and Childerley Gate. The off line option to the south of the existing route was accepted as the most suitable route. This would allow the existing road to be used by local traffic, cyclist and public transport.

Eastern Section - between Childerley Gate and the existing dual carriageway at Hardwick. The off line option to the north of the existing route was accepted as the most suitable route with the construction of a full junction at Scotland Road.

Preferred Route leaflet

Publication of draft proposals

The draft Orders for the scheme were published on 18 September 2003 giving all interested organisations the opportunity to express their views. 52 letters were received in response to the proposals and of these, 18 were objectors.

Link to Non Technical Summary of Environmental Statement

Programme

• The Public Consultation on the proposals was held in November 1999, followed by the Preferred Route announcement in June 2000.
• Draft Orders were published on 18 February 2003 and a number of objections and responses were received to the Secretary of State's proposals.
• The Public Inquiry into the proposals was held from 30 September 2003 to 8 October 2003.

A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick Improvement: Statement by Highways Agency's Representatives for Public Inquiries September 2003.

Link to Highways Agency Statement of Case

The Secretary of State's decision was issued on 24 February 2004

Developer Funded Section - The new 2 km section of dual carriageway opened to traffic on 6 June 2003.

Construction is scheduled to commence in 2005 for completion in 2007.