The A141 and St Ives Improvements Study is considering upgrades to the transport network along the A141 corridor and around Huntingdon and St Ives to improve the way people move both locally and around the region. The St Ives transport network is important for the market town of St Ives and surrounding villages while the A141 is crucial for the whole Huntingdon and St Ives area. It also has strategic importance to the future sustainable growth of the wider region.
Why is the scheme important?
Some of the current challenges faced by the A141 and St Ives road network include:
- Traffic jams and delays at peak times
- Unreliable journey times
- Road safety issues and risk of accidents
- Noise and air quality issues due to congestion
- Rat-running on minor roads and through villages
- Lack of safe, off-road cycle and walking options
- Minimal good, public transport
What difference will improvements make?
- Reduce congestion, heavy traffic and delays
- Improve journey times
- Improve road safety
- Reduce noise and air pollution
- Improve walking and cycling options
- Improve reliability for public transport
- Increase infrastructure capacity for growing numbers of new homes and jobs
Who is responsible for delivering the transport scheme?
Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) is responsible for delivering the scheme, supported by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) as project sponsor.
Have the A141 and St Ives transport schemes been merged and, if so, why?
In November 2021, after considering the consultation reports for the two separate schemes, the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough decided to merge them into one joint scheme because:
- The A141 corridor and St Ives network are interlinked
- Traffic conditions on either network can influence the volume and flow of traffic travelling through the neighbouring network
- The study areas are close to each other
- The study areas face similar challenges
What progress has there been so far?
Two public engagement surveys on the options for the A141 and St Ives network were held between February and March and between June and July 2021, respectively. Both surveys were open to the public for everyone to respond. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, responses were received online and by post. The aim of the surveys was to understand public views on key issues and opportunities in the study area. The surveys also presented some high-level option packages to understand the public’s views on the preferred best option.
There was most support for a combination of bypass options and sustainable travel options.
Since this project stage was completed, there have been some key policy changes at local, regional and national level such as a greater focus on decarbonisation and on mitigating climate change risks. Any shortlisted option packages need to reflect these changes so, as a result, we have been revisiting the work done previously, testing our assumptions and refining the options to ensure recent changes in standards/ guidelines and data are considered. As part of this process, we have been undertaking ecological land surveys in the general area of the scheme. This work is ongoing.
What happens next?
We will be sharing more information and progress updates on the scheme. In the coming months, we will be holding a public consultation to present the evidence base and gather feedback on the preferred final scheme from a shortlist of options. We will share more information as soon as possible.
How can I have my say?
We welcome your comments and suggestions at any time: please email Transport.Delivery@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or telephone telephone 01223 699 069.
Where can I learn more?
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP) (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority website) sets out how we plan to deliver a future in which the region and its people can thrive and in which transport underpins sustainable economic growth.
Keep an eye on this page and we will be adding more information soon.
