Skip to content

Motorists question temporary speed limit on old A14

Jozef Hall/BBC The A1307 between Swavesey and St IvesJozef Hall/BBC
The former A14 between Swavesey and Huntingdon is almost entirely limited to 40mph

A temporary speed limit put in place on a major road almost four years ago has been described as "lethal" by motorists who use the stretch.

The A1307, part of the old A14 between Swavesey and Huntingdon, has remained at 40mph instead of 70mph, since October 2020.

Cambridgeshire County Council said the restrictions were added for safety reasons before the replacement of central barriers.

But Cambridge taxi driver, Ady Whitehead, said the reduced limit was "an accident waiting to happen".

Jozef Hall/BBC The A1307 between Godmanchester and HuntingdonJozef Hall/BBC
The 40mph limit will stay in place on The A1307 near Huntingdon until new barriers are installed in the autumn, the county council said

Cambridgeshire County Council adopted the A1307 (known locally as the old A14) from National Highways in February this year.

The speed limit was reduced from 70 to 40 mph between The Hemingfords and St Ives due to concerns about flooding following a fatal crash on the road.

The dual carriageway also has 40 mph restrictions between Godmanchester and the Huntingdon section, due to safety concerns with the barriers.

Locals and motorists have questioned the reduced speed limit and why work does not appear to have started.

Jozef Hall/BBC Sarah Hulstone at her Hemingford Abbotts home near The A1307Jozef Hall/BBC
Sarah Hulstone, from Hemingford Abbotts, says she finds the 40 mph limit "slightly annoying"

Mr Whitehead said frequent users of the A1307 "go at 70 because they know they can".

"It's lethal, and an accident waiting to happen," he said.

"Those who don't know the road, go at 40 mph."

Sarah Hulstone, from Hemingford Abbotts, uses the road around four times a week, usually for school runs.

"It is slightly annoying, especially if I'm running late for the kids," she said.

She agreed that the flooding and barrier issues needed to be rectified, but added: "I'm not surprised it is taking this long for anything to get done. I won't be surprised if it goes on like this for the next couple of years."

Jozef hall/BBC The A1307 near St IvesJozef hall/BBC
The section of A1307 near St Ives which is prone to flooding requires drainage works and should be completed by the autumn

Liberal Democrat councillor Graham Wilson, who represents Godmanchester and Huntingdon South on Cambridgeshire County Council, said of the barriers: "We have been carrying out site inspections and ground investigation work.

"We had hoped to start on the barriers in the summer, but the assessment work has shown that new barrier designs are required."

The authority said it hoped to install the new barriers in the autumn when the speed limits would be increased.

Regarding the section prone to flooding, Mr Wilson added: "The road has now been inspected regarding the drainage works that are required.

"Again new works will be required and this should be completed this autumn."

Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830

Related links