Constituents rightly remain concerned about Anglian Water's proposals to relocate the Cambridge Water Waste Treatment Plant to a site on land north of the A14 between Fen Ditton and Horningsea.
Access to the site is part of the consultation process, and this has included the option of a new junction east of Junction 34 at Horningsea (known as 'Option 3.' 71% of respondents to Anglian Water's consultation support this option, due to concerns with other proposals (Option 1) which would impact upon a rural road and is used by pedestrians, cyclists and is close to Fen Ditton Primary School. An increase in HGV movements and the disruption it would bring to these two communities is a serious concern.
Despite clear local support for Option 3, I am very disappointed that Anglian Water has discounted it, on the basis that they cannot evidence the need for a new junction off the A14.
I have written to National Highways for their comments, and they have confirmed that:
- No options have been discounted.
- Analysis of the information provided to date by Anglian Water regarding expected vehicle movements, indicate that there is more than sufficient capacity at junction 34 to accommodate the additional traffic generated by the new facility.
- They will continue to work with Anglian Water and the local highway authority to agree how best to move traffic into and away from the plant. If further action to promote active use of the strategic road is required, they will work with all parties to put such measures in place.
- The option of creating a temporary access from the layby on the northern carriageway east of junction 35 has been considered. However, this is likely to result in heavy goods traffic accessing and exiting the A14 at slow speeds and encourage use by other road users, who would ordinarily utilise the adjacent junctions. They will therefore explore alternative options once more details are forthcoming from Anglian Water.
I will shortly be meeting with National Highways to discuss this issue further and continue to represent residents’ concerns on this issue. If you have specific issue or concerns that you would like me to feed into the discussions at that meeting then please do let me know as soon as possible.
