TRAFFIC congestion on the A14 in Cambridgeshire has fallen by more than 40 per cent because of the economic downturn, according to a transport monitoring company. According to Trafficmaster, congestion on the notorious road fell by 43 per cent last month

TRAFFIC congestion on the A14 in Cambridgeshire has fallen by more than 40 per cent because of the economic downturn, according to a transport monitoring company.

According to Trafficmaster, congestion on the notorious road fell by 43 per cent last month (March) compared to the same period last year. This is the biggest reduction in congestion the company has seen on the A14 in more than two years.

The firm used sensors to record traffic speeds between the Cambridge Bypass and the A1M junctions at Brampton and Alconbury. They measured the amount of traffic travelling at less than 30mph over the past six months compared to the same period the previous year.

In February, the company recorded congestion as down by 21 per cent compared to the same period in 2008.

Graham Smith, data manager at Trafficmaster, believes the reduction in congestion is a result of raising fuel prices and the impact of the recession.

Speaking to The Hunts Post, Mr Smith said: "The A14 is a difficult road to analysis but we have seen a fairly high reduction in congestion over the past few months.

We put the reduction down the economic downturn as most HGVs travelling on the road would be for construction and retail, which are two industries hit hard by the recession."

Mr Smith said the results would affect other roads.

He added: "If there is less congestion on a route like the A14 then it is likely that will soon be reflected on other motorways in the area."

INFORMATION: Do you think traffic has been less congested on the A14? E-mail your views to: Editor@huntspost.co.uk or write to: A14 congestion debate, The Hunts Post, 30 High Street, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE29 3TB.