Work to improve a junction that’s considered to be among the most dangerous in Huntingdonshire will be discussed at an upcoming council meeting.  

The notorious Wheatsheaf crossroads on the B1040, near Bluntisham, is on the agenda of Cambridgeshire County Council’s next Highways and Transport Committee on Tuesday (December 5).  

At an earlier committee, it was agreed the preferred solution is to install a traffic light-controlled junction at the Somersham Road/Wheatsheaf Road and Bluntisham Heath Road crossing.  

It was felt this would reduce the number of collisions involving drivers failing to give way.   

Funding of £6.8m for the traffic lights and widening has been secured and if agreed at committee next week, construction could begin in April 2024.  

But this is dependent on the purchase of additional land needed to widen the road, which is necessary to construct the new junction.   

The detailed design is complete and will see a four-way signal junction installed. 

The existing layout will be widened to allow right-hand turn lanes and separate lanes will be built on the approaches to the new junction.  

Cllr Neil Shailer, vice-chair of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Road safety is hugely important and we want to identify schemes where we can make a big difference to our communities within the tight budget we have.  

“We welcome these improvements.  

“We understand people want this project delivered and we are working as quickly as we can to install the traffic light scheme at Wheatsheaf crossroads.” 

Last month, our readers named the junction as one of the most dangerous in Huntingdonshire.  

The Hunts Post: The crash scene on the B1040 Somersham Road in November 2019, which claimed three lives. The crash scene on the B1040 Somersham Road in November 2019, which claimed three lives. (Image: PA Wire)It was described as "literally deadly" by one road user. Another said that they had "witnessed so many close calls" at the junction.   

In November 2019, a fatal bus crash there claimed the lives of three elderly people on their way home from a Christmas market.  

Cllr Steve Criswell, Cambridgeshire County Council Member for Somersham and Earith, said: “The community has been eager to see improvements to this junction for a long time.”