Histon Road will close to traffic heading into Cambridge for ‘up to a year’
Histon Road will be closed to traffic heading into Cambridge for up to a year - and the diversion will take vehicles via Milton Road.
The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) is planning to increase capacity on the road, creating new junctions, bus lanes and cycle routes.
According to detailed construction proposals released on Monday (September 2) the road will be made one-way for the duration of the construction, and will be closed to drivers heading south into the city centre between Huntingdon Road and Kings Hedges Road.
The plans state: “To facilitate the delivery of the works a one way system is to be introduced for the duration of the project on Histon Raod between Huntingdon Road and King's Hedges Road. Flow will be northbound towards the A14 only.”
Southbound traffic will be diverted east along the A14 to junction 32, then down the A1134 Milton Road into Cambridge.
Contractors plan to be on site for 15 months, starting November 11 this year, and ending on February 12, 2021, with construction expected to begin in the new year.
It is understood that the one-way road closure will last up to a year.
The plans will be discussed at the GCP’s joint assembly on September 12.
The GCP’s executive board will then be asked to agree the plans when it meets on October 3.
The GCP said: “The project will make it quicker and easier for people to leave their cars and walk, cycle or catch the bus along Histon Road – helping to cut congestion and improve air quality.
“If approved, construction on the scheme could begin in the winter and completed in 2021.”
According to the GCP, the preferred transport management plan will involve an “inbound [to the city centre] closure of Histon Road for the duration of the carriageway works which could be up to one year”.
Signs will be put out on the A14 “to encourage traffic to avoid Histon Road”.
And arrangements will be made with bus provider Stagecoach to provide additional buses between Milton Park & Ride and Cambridge.
The plans show drivers will be “encouraged to use the Park & Ride facility at Milton Road and then travel into the city using the Park & Ride”.
Delivery vehicles for the construction will enter via the southbound entrance.
According to the GCP the plans are not yet fixed.
The report says: “This is a live document and will continue to be refined as part of the ongoing engagement with the local community.”
The GCP has proposed that the construction of the scheme is undertaken through Cambridgeshire County Council’s highways services contract with Skanska.
Plans for the road’s design were approved last year.
The final budget estimate has not yet been released, but is expected to be around £6million.
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