|
A428 dual carriageway opens earlyThursday, 24 May 2007  View of the new road from the blue footbridge The following information is taken from the "Government News Network":http://www.gnn.gov.uk The newly built £55 million A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick improvement scheme, near Cambridge was officially opened today, three months ahead of schedule. A ceremonial ribbon cutting was carried out by Jerry England, Highways Agency interim Director for Major Projects, as pilots from nearby Rural Flying Corps at Bourn Airfield conducted a fly-past. During the ceremony, lane restrictions were lifted and the A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick scheme was fully opened to traffic. Roads Minister, Dr Stephen Ladyman, praised the scheme. He said: "The opening of this road, on budget and three months early, is good news for drivers, and is a credit to the Highways Agency and their contractors. "The Government is committed to investing in a better road network. The A428 is an important strategic road link between Cambridge and the M1 at Milton Keynes, carrying 20,000 vehicles per day. It joins up with the M11, A1 and the A14, and other local roads like the A1198. "This new dual carriageway will provide a safer route with fewer traffic collisions, reduced congestion and more reliable journey times for drivers. Other benefits include reduced noise from traffic, improved air quality and safer access on and off the A428." The early opening of the new section of road between Cambourne and Hardwick is put down to a high degree of professionalism by those working on the project, favourable weather and top safety standards set by contractors. The scheme had an exceptional safety record with no major reportable accidents on site over the past 21 months (830,000 working man-hours). At the official opening ceremony, Jerry England, said: "I am very pleased to be here today to mark the official opening of the new dual carriageway section of the A428 near Cambridge. Perhaps the most significant benefit of this improvement is the number of lives it will save - we estimate that over the next 60 years there will be around 24 fewer road deaths, and 120 fewer serious injury incidents. "The Highways Agency and its contractors have taken environmental responsibilities seriously to reduce the impact of the scheme. Trees have been planted and fences have been put up to guide wildlife away from the road." Black Poplars have been reintroduced along the route and more than 130,000 trees and shrubs will be planted alongside the new dual carriageway to help it blend into the countryside and improve local ecology. The western section of the dual carriageway between the Caxton Gibbet roundabout and Cambourne junction was opened before Christmas - ten months earlier than programmed. A dedicated access track has been built for three properties east of the restaurant at the roundabout. The new overbridges at Bourn, Hardwick and Childerley were opened to drivers in phases during construction work, keeping traffic on the A428 flowing. A new access point off the Childerley embankment to Childerley farm was also built, and a dedicated road was constructed to and from Bourn Airfield. A new footbridge has been installed north of Hardwick, which provides safe access for pedestrians using the footpath to Dry Drayton. The footpath has been diverted to follow the line of the Callow Brook all the way to the bridge. The scheme has won a Silver award from the Considerate Contractors Scheme - National Awards 2007 and an Edmund Nuttall award for Major Schemes. It has also been nominated for the Highways Agency Zero Accidents Award. Find out more about the scheme at http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/4545.aspx CommentsThis entry has no comments so far. Next: Chairman's Annual Report Previous: New website launched |
