Route announced for expanded A14

The A14 development is expected to be started in 2010

A preferred route has been announced for the improvement of one of Cambridgeshire's busiest roads.

Two years on from a public consultation on the scheme, the Highways Agency has announced the new route for the A14 between Ellington and Fen Drayton.

A new 11.8 mile (19km) three lane carriageway will replace the existing road through Huntingdon.

The new route would cut congestion for the 65,000-plus vehicles using the A14 each day, the agency said.

'Drivers to benefit'

The new road will run to the west of the existing A14 between Ellington and Fen Drayton and south of the Buckden landfill site and Wood Green Animal Shelter.

Tom Harris, Transport Minister, said: "The A14 is an important strategic route which connects the motorways of the Midlands and the north of England to the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich, and the M11 to the south.

"The new road between Ellington and Fen Drayton, together with the widening of the existing A14 between Fen Drayton and Fen Ditton, will be a boost to the region's economy.

"With 65,000 to 85,000 vehicles using the A14 in Cambridgeshire each day, the scheme will improve journey time reliability and safety on the A14, which will be a benefit to local and long distance drivers alike."

The existing A14 through Huntingdon will become a local road and the Huntingdon Railway viaduct will be removed.

The agency said, subject to funding and completion of statutory procedures, construction of the new route is expected to start in 2010.