Tolling the A14 could fund major upgrades
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By Chris Tindall THE GOVERNMENT says tolling up to 20 miles of the A14 will help fund a major upgrade of the strategically crucial road, easing congestion and capacity issues.
The move inally ended months of speculation, with the Department for Transport (DfT) saying it plans to build a new bypass around Huntingdon and provide A14 upgrades.
Two new roads could be built either side of the current A-road north of Cambridge, primarily for local use, and the existing carriageway would be upgraded through the removal of accesses and junction improvements.
However, irms in the region say there is no certainty that any of the plans will come to fruition because government funding will be subject to the next spending review.
The DfT says study work conirms that funding for its plans can be generated in part through road tolls on an enhanced section of the A14. “The A14 is a crucial strategic route for the east of England, vital not only for international road trafic using the port of Felixstowe but everyone who relies on it daily,” says transport secretary Justine Greening.
But Malcolm Bingham, head of road network management policy at the Freight Transport Association, says: “We’re worried that operators who have to use the A14 to get in and out of Felixstowe will be forced to pay this toll, which would be seen as an unavoidable tax if they are not offered a reasonable affordable alternative route to reach the Suffolk port.” John Bridge, Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive and ex-haulier, says irms welcome the announcement, but adds: “While tolling is not an ideal solution, it may well be a necessary evil as part of the package to get the project moving forward.
“It is essential, however, that there is a parallel road so local users will be able to avoid any additional cost of travelling along the corridor.”