FTA urges fleets to examine proposals for A14

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said that it is time to ‘look seriously’ at the Highways Agency (HA) proposals to develop the Cambridge to Huntington stretch of the A14. 

Plans for the £1.5bn improvement scheme moved a step closer yesterday with the launch of a 10-week consultation announced by the HA. 

Malcolm Bingham, FTA head of Road Network Policy, said: “Now that the Government has abandoned all thought of tolling the A14 near to Cambridge it is time to look seriously at the Highways Agency proposals to develop this stretch of the road network which is so important to strategic freight movements.

“The consultation issued today indicates a preferred route for the A14, and it is important to assess if the new proposal will provide better journey reliability on the road between Cambridge and the A1 near to Huntingdon.”

Previously responding to an HA consultation on the A14 in September 2013, which had outlined plans of fundamental changes to the route, including toll charging, FTA voiced its concerns and challenged the proposed tolls which were subsequently abandoned.

The current consultation exercise and proposed changes to be made are said to in response to feedback from last year’s consultation, and the process is intended to give local residents, businesses, haulage operators and communities more information on the scope and details of the proposals and to have their say on the plans.

Roads minister Robert Goodwill said:“The redevelopment of the £1.5 billion A14 scheme is vital to the economic development of the region, helping to support and unlock growth across the East of England.” 

FTA has added that it will be consulting with its own members in order to assess the new proposals in detail.