'Almost the Worst Possible Outcome for Brampton' - Says Local Councillor

7.24.30pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 26th Oct 2007

Brampton's County Councillor Peter Downes has expressed his bitter disappointment at the proposed route for the new A14 announced this week by the Highways Agency.

"This will bring 10 lanes of traffic to within 350 yards of the western end of Brampton. The prevailing wind carries the noise and pollution from that direction towards the village", said Peter Downes. "The residents in several hundred houses will be most directly affected but all of Brampton will suffer. We have every reason to be angry that our pleas for a more westerly route have been ignored ."

"The only small consolation for Brampton is that the route goes to the south of the landfill site rather than the north."

There is also great concern about the backwash effect on Brampton of the proposed removal of the A14 viaduct.

"The stretch of road from the railway station to Hinchingbrooke could become a monster traffic jam" , said Parish Council Chairman Mike Shellens. "I note that the option of a west-facing junction where the A1198 crosses the new A14 is still alive. It is essential that this access is provided to reduce the impact of traffic on the new road system in the west of Huntingdon. "

"We now have to focus our attention on the noise and pollution mitigation proposals when the Draft Orders are published early in 2009. After that, a Public Inquiry will be held if there are objections to the detailed proposals", said Peter Downes.

Brampton Parish Council has submitted a well-supported request for a Non-Motorised User Crossing of the A1 and A14 to provide access from Brampton to Brampton Wood. A Highways Agency spokesman said that this would be considered at the later stage of detailed preparation of drawings and has not been ruled out.