Transport studies looking into improvements to the road network around St Ives and at the A141 in Huntingdon have been combined into a single steering group.

At a meeting of Cambridgeshire County Council’s economy and environment committee on September 13, councillors agreed to merge the A141 Huntingdon study and the St Ives area transport study into a single group.

The new group will feature two county councillors from each area, as well as four members of Huntingdonshire District Council.

Councillors Ryan Fuller and Steve Criswell, from the St Ives and surrounding area, will be joined by councillors Tom Sanderson and Graham Wilson, from the Huntingdon area – all representing the county council.

The Huntingdon A141 scheme was allocated £1million from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to fund a feasibility study earlier this year, while a further £1million was allocated to the St Ives area study by the county council.

In a report to the committee, Graham Hughes, the county council’s director of place and economy, said the two studies had a bearing on each other and it was decided closer working would be of benefit to both schemes.

In a report, Mr Hughes noted: “Due to the close proximity of the A141 Huntingdon study and St Ives area transport study and the interdependencies of any future solutions for each area, the county council decided that both studies would be procured jointly and undertaken by a single consultant, with a single modelling team involved in both studies.

“The studies will soon reach a stage where councillors need to be involved as views will be needed regarding schemes going forward and public engagement and consultation.

“Considering the joint working approach for the two studies, it is proposed that a single member steering group will be formed covering both areas.”

The Huntingdon study is looking at ways in which junctions along the A141 can be improved, possible realignment of the Huntingdon bypass, and possible new transport modes for the route.

The St Ives study, meanwhile, was set up to address capacity and congestion problems on the A1096, the A1123, and the B1040, as well bus routing and access to the centre of the town.

Once members from Huntingdonshire District Council are appointed to the new steering group, a first meeting date will be set and terms of reference agreed.