VILLAGERS in Brampton are demanding road builders provide a crossing over the extended A14 to save them from a traffic triangle . The parish council has thrown its weight behind pleas to build the crossing — and claims that some people are risking their

VILLAGERS in Brampton are demanding road builders provide a crossing over the extended A14 to save them from a 'traffic triangle'.

The parish council has thrown its weight behind pleas to build the crossing - and claims that some people are risking their lives by running across the road to the Brampton Hut service area.

Parish council chairman Mike Shellens said: "The village lies within a triangle of busy roads, some of which are almost uncrossable on foot, by bicycle or on horseback.

"We have some beautiful countryside but it cannot be reached except by car or a very long way round. This is not just a battle for Brampton, but for all surrounding villages.

"We are trying to open up land west of the A1 to those on the east of the A1."

Cllr Shellens said that some young people who work at the McDonald's restaurant in Brampton Hut have been seen to dash across the road to get to work.

Cllr Shellens said: "The last thing we want is for what happened to Warren Hay on the A141 to be repeated but we need this crossing."

St Peter's School pupil Warren was knocked down and killed while crossing the A141 in Huntingdon on his way to a football match in May last year.

The council believes that when much-delayed £1billion work to upgrade the A14 is complete, up to 130,000 vehicles a day will separate Brampton from the attractive countryside to the west.

Cllr Shellens added: "In discussions with the Highways Agency a figure of £750,000 for the crossing has been mentioned, but taken in the context of a £1billion road scheme, that does not seem as large a figure.

"Brampton will suffer most when the new A14 is built but we must make sure the designers know that this crossing needs to go in the plan."

Cllr Shellens said that the parish council would be prepared to take the case to a public inquiry if it was felt necessary, but hoped common sense would prevail.

The Highways Agency was unavailable for comment as The Hunts Post went to press.

INFORMATION: Visit www.brampton-cambs-pc.gov.uk