What is the A141 and St Ives Improvements Scheme?

    The A141 and St Ives Improvements Scheme is the name for a comprehensive study to find a long-term, sustainable solution to Huntingdonshire’s transport network issues. 

    Who is responsible for delivering the scheme?

    Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) is responsible for delivering the scheme, supported by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) as project sponsor. 

    What is the CPCA?

    The CPCA is the Mayoral Combined Authority for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area, formed in May 2017. Among other responsibilities, it is responsible for strategic transport planning for the area.  

    Why does the A141 matter?

    The A141 is the main road between the Fens and Huntingdon. It is a critical part of the Huntingdonshire transport network and a vital gateway into and out of the district. It creates easy connections to:  

    • the A14, A1, A1123, B1090, A1096 and A1307 roads  

    • Fenland towns and villages  

    • St Ives  

    • Earith  

    • local quarries  

    • RAF Wyton  

    • the UK’s main travel corridors  

    • other areas of future local development. 

    What are the current challenges facing the A141 and local area?

    The A141 is already operating significantly over capacity and the local area suffers from: 

    • traffic jams and unreliable journey times  

    • road safety issues  

    • poor noise and air quality conditions  

    • rat-running on minor roads and nearby villages  

    • a lack of safe, off-road cycle and walking options  

    • a lack of good public transport 

    Why do we need a new solution?

    A new solution is needed to address the above issues and enable future growth. As well as addressing current road capacity issues, we also need to improve the entire integrated transport network, to enable short, local journeys to be done more efficiently and in a more environmentally-friendly way. 

    Is this scheme related to the A141 Huntingdon Study and the St Ives Area Study?

    Yes, the A141 and St Ives Improvements Scheme has been developed by merging of the two parallel studies, namely the A141 Huntingdon Study and the St Ives Area Study.  

    Why were these two studies merged into one scheme?

    In 2021, two public consultations were conducted for the A141 Huntingdon Study and St Ives Ares Study respectively. Both consultations showed a combination of a bypass and active travel improvements were preferred.  

    Hence, the CPCA combined the two previous studies and their options to become the A141 and St Ives Improvements Scheme. 

    What are the scheme objectives?

    he scheme objectives are as follows: 

    • Positively improve journey time and reliability for passenger transport services and private vehicles. 

    • Enhance the provision of passenger transport services. 

    • Offer a variety of inclusive, attractive and safe active travel facilities, for walking, cycling, and wheeling (scooters, mobility aids, wheelchairs) 

    • Manage environmental conditions, such as air quality and noise.

    • Enable future sustainable growth in and around the Huntingdon and St Ives areas. 



    How will the scheme benefit the people of St Ives and Huntingdon? 

    The scheme will make travel both safer and more efficient. It will help support potential further growth beyond the current local plan period in the St Ives and Huntingdon area. It will also help enable sustainable growth in housing, and employment, bringing benefit to the wider community. 

     

    The scheme aims to deliver improvements that consider the needs of people, active travel, and the environment, not just motor vehicles. By embedding net zero by design and climate resilience into the scheme, we are planning for and managing the climate risk so we can cope with future impacts at a local level.  

    What is the A141 and St Ives Travel Network Improvements Package?

    The A141 and St Ives Travel Network Improvements Package is a set of measures to develop and enhance transport infrastructure on the A141, and around the St Ives and Huntingdon areas.  

    What does the package entail?

    The package has been grouped into three themes:  

    • Active travel: This refers to walking and cycling, as well as other ‘wheeled’ modes of travelAs part of the package, we are proposing seven new active travel routes, including brand-new routes and new segregated routes along existing roads. These will be designated walking, wheeling and cycling routes. 

    • Public transport: This can include buses, trains and Park and RidesThe package proposes three new Park and Ride facilities, which would be geographically spread out around the area to cater as many people as possible. Additionally, we are proposing three extensions to the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway (CGB), which would provide communities with greater access into Cambridge. We are also proposing two new bus routes that would serve key amenities throughout Huntingdon and St Ives. 

    • Road: Robust and resilient road infrastructure is vital for economic development and social wellbeing, especially in areas with remote and rural communities, including Huntingdonshire. The package presents a single carriageway bypass that starts at Spittals Interchange and carries through to the roundabout at RAF Wyton Airfield. It will travel north of Huntingdon and south of Great Stukeley and the bypass will cross the East Coast Main Line. 

    For more details of the package and how was it developed, please see our consultation brochure. 

    How did you come up with these proposals?

    Since the merging of the two previous studies, there have been key national, regional and local policy changes. Taking them into account: 

    • 12 options were refined to three packages: Bypass Package A, Bypass Package B and Bypass Package C 

    • The Outline Business Case identified two further options: Strategic Public Transport Package and the A141 and St Ives Travel Network Improvements Package. 

    • All five packages were tested, four were discounted. 

    Please see page 17 of the consultation brochure to know more about what these packages were and why were they discounted. 

    Which wards does the scheme study area cover?

    The scheme study area covers the following council wards:  

    • Alconbury  

    • Fenstanton 

    • Godmanchester  

    • Hemingford Grey & Houghton  

    • Hollywell-cum-Needingworth 

    • Huntingdon East  

    • Huntingdon North  

    • Somersham 

    • St Ives North & Wyton  

    • St Ives South  

    • St Ives West  

    • St Ives East  

    • Stukeleys 

    • Warboys  

    When is the public consultation?

    The public consultation runs from 16 October 2024 to 27 November 2024. 

    What are you trying to achieve through this consultation?

    Through this consultation, we are looking to get your feedback on the proposals to help us develop solutions that support sustainable growth in St Ives and Huntingdon.  

    Tell me about any other engagement that you are doing.

    We are holding events and webinars with residents, local councillors, and other stakeholder groups to seek your views and keep you updated on progress.  

    • We will be holding two in-person and two virtual consultation events:  

    • Thursday 17 October 2024, 1pm - 2.30pm. Online webinar  

    • Friday 18 October 2024, 3pm - 7pm. The Coneygear Centre, Buttsgrove Way, Huntingdon, PE29 1PE  

    • Tuesday 5 November 2024, 9am - 2pm. St Ives Corn Exchange, The Pavement, The Old Riverport, St Ives, PE27 5AD  

    • Thursday 7 November 2024, 6.30pm - 8pm. Online webinar 

    To register to attend an online webinar or complete the consultation survey, visit: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/A141-StIves  

    • Throughout the consultation, we will also have an unmanned exhibition in the reception of New Shire Hall, Emery Crescent, Enterprise Campus, Alconbury Weald, Huntingdon, PE28 4YE.  

     Exhibition opening hours will be:  

    Monday to Thursday, 8.45am - 5pm  

    Friday, 8.45am - 4.30pm 

    How will my views be considered in the next stages of the scheme?

    At the end of the consultation period, we will analyse your feedback and use it to inform our decision about the A141 and St Ives Travel Network Improvements Package and any potential changes to our proposals.  

    What other factors will you be considering in your decision-making process?

    We will be considering the following factors in our decision-making process: 

    • Environmental 

    • Objectives 

    • Benefits and costs 

    • Policy/political 

    • Technical 

    • Public feedback 

    • Construction 

    What will the next steps be?

    After the public consultation, the next steps would be: 

    1. Public consultation report  February 2025 

    1. Second public consultation – May – June 2025 

    1. Further development of the Outline Business Case – October 2024 – September 2025 

    1. Completion of the Outline Business Case – September 2025  

    2. Final publication of the Outline Business Case – November 2025  

    What will happen after the final publication of the Outline Business Case (OBC)?

    Following the publication of the Outline Business Case, the next stage of the project is dependent on: 

    • the outcomes of the business case  

    • future available funding  

    • development of designs of the selected solution  

    • seeking the required agreements such as planning permissions

    How can I find out more about the scheme?

    • To know more about the scheme, please check out our consultation brochure or come along to one of our public drop-in events or online webinars. 

    • You can get in touch by emailing us at TalkA141@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or calling us on 0345 045 5212. 

    • Also, follow us on X @CambsCC #A141StIves and Facebook @CambridgeshireCC for more information 

    Can I get a copy of the consultation materials in an alternative format or language?

    Yes, if you require any of the material in an alternative format or language, please email or call us on the details above.