To: Miss Cara Cosson,
A14 Project Support,
Woodlands,
Manton Lane,
Manton Industrial Estate,
Bedford, MK41 7LW.
Dear Miss Cosson,
As a resident of Godmanchester I write to make my views clear regarding the proposed changes to the A14 (Ellington to Fen Ditton).
Of course in an ideal world we would not need to build more roads and lose more countryside but we do acknowledge the vital need for an upgrade to the notorious A14 on safety grounds and on the grounds of improved traffic flow. The A14 is now a major trunk route and the Spittals roundabout, Huntingdon flyover and Fenstanton 'chicane' have no place in what is essentially a national/international thoroughfare.
The current route has had a very real negative impact to the quality of life of some Godmanchester residents as the noise to the northern side of the town is considerable, the current A14 being but yards from residential housing.   Regular problems on the A14 brings traffic pouring through our historic town.
Of all the routes suggested we support the Orange route as the fairest to all the communities of the area. Your report shows that this route is the most cost effective of the major options, uses less land and has less impact on local wildlife
It places the road roughly mid way between Godmanchester and the Offords and noise and visual impact are kept to a minimum. Placing the road nearer Godmanchester would double the noise impact on the town. The prevailing wind would take noise away from Offords and towards Godmanchester so the mid point position of the Orange route protects both communities as far as is possible in an equitable and fair manner.
We are disappointed that nearby villages have launched a high profile legal campaign to force you away from the most obvious route with the slogan 'No A14 in OUR Village'. This blatant 'nimbyism' clearly suggests it is 'OK' for other villages and towns to bear more than their share of the noise etc so long as their villages are spared. Almost everyone in the locality uses the A14 so the benefits and burdens should be shared equitably. We hope the final decision will not be unduly influenced by an over zealous PR campaign.
We ask you to pay heed to the people of Godmanchester who have suffered for 25 year with the current road and through a fair and objective appraisal of the current options choose the Orange Route as the new route for the A14.
Yours Sincerely,
My home address is
Resident of Godmanchester
CC Jonathan Djanogly,
The House of Commons,		
London, SW1A OAA
or at
HCCA, 8 Stukeley Road, Huntingdon, PE29 6XG