Highways Agency

A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick Improvement

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 summarises the results of the Public Consultation held in November and December 1999. It also announces the decision made by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the Preferred Route.

Background

The A428, together with the A421 and A14, forms part of the Core National Route between Milton Keynes and Cambridge. It is also important to the local road network.

Between Caxton Common and Hardwick the A428 is a single carriageway road that currently carries around 18,000 vehicles per day. It is often used as an alternative route to the heavily trafficked A14. Congestion occurs, particularly during morning rush hour. The accident record is above that which would be expected for this type of road.

In April 1994 outline planning consent was granted for Cambourne, a large development to the south of the A428. The development is currently underway and will eventually comprise over 3000 houses, together with business and industrial parks.

The planning consent requires the developer to build 2 kilometres of dual carriageway adjacent to Cambourne by the time the development reaches a certain size. At the rate Cambourne is progressing the dual carriageway will need to be in place before 2002.

By 2006, traffic on the A428 is expected to have increased to 36,000 vehicles a day. Severe congestion could be expected on the unimproved sections of A428.

The A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick Improvement is included in the report 'A New Deal For Trunk Roads In England' (DETR July 1998) as a 'Scheme Associated With Development'.

Public Consultation

Copies of the Consultation leaflets and questionnaires were sent to national and local organisations that were considered to have an interest in the scheme. Approximately 4000 leaflets and questionnaires were also delivered to residential and business premises within the Study Area.

Copies of the leaflets and questionnaires were also deposited at local Council offices, Post Offices, Cambridge central library and the Cambourne Concept Centre.

Public Exhibitions were held at Hardwick Pavilion on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 November 1999 and at Bourn Village Hall on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 November 1999.

Options Presented at Consultation

The improvement Options were presented in three parts:

Western Section, between the Caxton Gibbet roundabout and the Cambourne dual carriageway. Two options were presented, one on the line of the existing road and the other off-line to the north.

Central Section, between the dual carriageway at Cambourne and Childerley Gate. One off-line southern option was shown.

Eastern Section, between Childerley Gate and the existing dual carriageway at Hardwick. Two options were shown; a full junction allowing all turning movements and a partial junction with some turning movements restricted.

Responses

A total of 495 completed questionnaires and 44 letter responses were received. Responses were received from members of the public and also from:

Cambridgeshire County Council;
South Cambridgeshire District Council;
7 local Parish Councils;
Agents for 7 landowners;
4 local councillors;
13 local businesses;
19 other bodies.

Analysis of the Responses

Responses from the Public

The responses received indicate a high level of support for the scheme. 95.9% believed that an improvement is necessary.

Western Section: 59.8% of respondents preferred the off-line option while 28.2% favoured the on-line option. The off-line option was preferred because it moves the trunk road away from local residents resulting in environmental benefits.

Central Section: 90.7% of respondents believed that the off-line southern option was acceptable. Many supported keeping the existing road intact between Cambourne and Cambridge for use by local traffic, cyclists, and public transport.

Eastern Section: 64.7% of respondents preferred the full junction while 31.9% preferred the partial junction. Generally, it was felt that the full junction offers more convenient and safer access compared to the partial junction. However, some felt that the full junction would encourage 'rat-running', particularly through Dry Drayton.

Comments from other Bodies

Cambridgeshire County Council supports the principle of dualling and prefers an off-line route and a full junction at Hardwick.

South Cambridgeshire District Council supports the dualling and prefers an off-line option in the Western Section; a full junction at Hardwick; and retention of the existing A428 for use by local traffic.

The Parish Councils all support the need for an improvement. Two requested an off-line option in the Western Section; five preferred the full junction at Hardwick; and two, Dry Drayton P.C. and Hardwick P.C., preferred the partial junction.

Local Landowners and Businesses were generally supportive of the dualling. Most businesses consider the scheme essential for their continued operation. There was a high preference for the off-line option in the Western Section and almost all preferred the full junction at Hardwick.

Other Comments

The analysis of the questionnaires revealed the following main comments:

1. The proposed improvement will do nothing to relieve peak hour congestion on Madingley Hill.
2. The congestion on Madingley Hill could be reduced if an eastbound to southbound link was provided at M11 Junction 14.
3. The proposed dual carriageway should be extended to St. Neots.
4. The preferred option should be built at the same time as the two kilometres of dual carriageway to be funded by the developer of Cambourne.
5. The proposed improvement to the A428 would make it an even more attractive alternative route to the heavily congested A14. This would result in traffic 'rat-running' through local villages.

The responses to these comments are as follows:

1. The improvement to the A428 would make no significant difference to traffic conditions on Madingley Hill. Its prime function is to provide extra traffic capacity between Caxton Gibbet and Hardwick.
2. The main cause of congestion on Madingley Hill is traffic heading into Cambridge during the morning peak. Junction 14 is being considered as part of the ongoing Cambridge to Huntingdon Multi Modal Study.
3. The volume of traffic using the A428 decreases to the west of the Caxton Gibbet roundabout. There are no plans at the present time for an improvement extending to St. Neots.
4. Preparation work is more advanced on the two kilometres of dualling that is needed to be in place before 2002. More work needs to be done on the much larger preferred option and it is unlikely that it could be open to traffic before 2006.
5. The Multi Modal Study is addressing problems on the A14. The traffic work carried out at the next stage of the Caxton Common to Hardwick scheme will consider the findings of that Study. In particular, an assessment will be made of the amount of traffic that could transfer from the A14 to the A428 in the period before improvements could be carried out in the A14 corridor.

The Decision of the Secretary of State

The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has considered the views expressed and noted the high level of support for improving the A428 to dual carriageway standard between the Caxton Gibbet roundabout and Hardwick.

His conclusions with regard to the three Sections are:

Western Section

He notes the preference for the off-line option. Whilst acknowledging the extra land take and cost compared to the on-line option he feels that these are outweighed by the environmental benefits to local residents and therefore the off-line option should be taken forward.

Central Section

He notes the strong preference for the off-line southern option and agrees that this should be the one taken forward.

Eastern Section

He notes the preference for the full junction. He acknowledges the concerns about potential 'ratrunning' but feels that if such problems arose they could be dealt with by appropriate traffic restrictions. He also notes the additional cost and land take associated with the full junction but feels that these are outweighed by ease of access. The full junction should therefore be the option to be taken forward.

What Happens Next?

The route described above will be designated as the 'Preferred Route' for the A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick Improvement and will be protected from development.

The route will be developed further before the publication of draft statutory Orders under the Highways Act 1980 and an Environmental Statement.

At that stage there will be a further opportunity for people to comment or object. A Public Inquiry before an independent Inspector could follow depending on the nature and weight of any objections.

All elements of the scheme will be reviewed as the proposals are developed in more detail.

Copies of a plan will be issued to Local Planning Authorities for planning and control purposes.

Copies of this leaflet can be obtained from:

Cambridgeshire County Council
South Cambridgeshire District Council

Bourn Post Office
Hardwick Post Office
Papworth Everard Post Office

Cambourne Concept Centre
Cambridge Central Library

The Highways Agency,
Heron House,
49-53 Goldington Rd, Bedford

The Highways Agency
Rm S12/03, St Christopher House
Southwark Street, London

Map of Route

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