We need more A14 facts

I READ with interest the article on the proposals for works to the A14 along with measures to reduce congestion on the ring road (May 17). One measure in particular interesting me is the proposed link road between Ermine Street and the railway station. Th

I READ with interest the article on the proposals for works to the A14 along with measures to reduce congestion on the ring road (May 17).

One measure in particular interesting me is the proposed link road between Ermine Street and the railway station. The article cheerfully reassures us that not a single home will be demolished to achieve the works, so I am interested to see that the diagrammatic line being proposed as an indicative route still ploughs straight through my home.

From previous conversations with the authorities I have been reassured of the "diagrammatic" nature of this proposal and am still waiting to see how these proposals will develop actually to affect the homes and businesses on both Ermine Street and those by the railway station.

Have they even considered:

# The change of character to our town?

# The effect on the residences and businesses on Ermine Street?

# The effect on the homes and businesses by the station?

# Where exactly they intend to run this diagrammatically large road?

# Who will have the pleasure of a busy road running to the front and a new one to the side of them?

Will they try to work with the existing urban fabric of these historic parts of our town or will they "diagrammatically" cut through as developer pressure takes them? More solid facts please before they throw these plans before us again.

S J ARMSTRONG

Ermine Street

Huntingdon

YOU invite comments on the proposed new road lay-out when the A14 viaduct over the railway is taken down. I have three observations to make:

Instead of two junctions near Hinchingbrooke School entrance (each with traffic lights or halt signs?) it would be better to have one roundabout. The existing road to the hospital could then be used and a fifth exit off the roundabout could make use of the existing entrance to Hinchingbrooke School. This would cause less disruption and would be cheaper.

There is no need for a roundabout on the proposed new Spittals Link, as what is now the A14 towards the station viaduct would no longer exist.

Instead of two juctions on the Common Link to the east of the railway station, it would be better to have just one roundabout where the station entrance now is. A fifth exit from the roundabout could make use of the existing entrance into the station Thus

# A new road into the station car park would not then be needed.

# The existing car park would be unaffected without the need for replacement car parking space.

# There would only be one junction and the existing approach road into the station could be used, which would be cheaper and cause less disruption.

# The footpath to the station, south of the railway cottages, would not have to be realigned.

# There would be no loss of amenities to all the houses east of the railway station since it would not be necessary to construct a new road between the railway cottages and the houses on Mill Common drive.

D J RIACH

Mill Common

Huntingdon

HAVING viewed the proposed plans for the A14, in principle they seem OK, but the concern that I have is that the Mill Common junction would lead to congestion and a rat-run through the town, as at the moment along Hartford Road.

C WOODS

American Lane

Huntingdon