A14 will not be delayed after Carillion liquidation'

Highways England has said there will be no delays to the A14 upgrade following the collapse of Carillion, one of four partners delivering the £1.5billion project.

That was the assurance given to Cambridgeshire mayor James Palmer, who met with the chief executive of Highways England, Jim O’Sullivan, last week.

Following the meeting, Mr Palmer said: “After the concerns that have been raised following the news of Carillion’s liquidation, I was keen to seek assurances that there would be no delays to the A14 upgrade.

“I was informed by Mr O’Sullivan that because Balfour Beatty were in a joint venture with Carillion they would be carrying out all the works and that there would be no delays.

“I was also keen to ensure that all those who have carried out work on behalf of Carillion are properly looked after. Mr O’Sullivan made an assurance to me that all the individuals in question would be treated fairly.”

Mr Palmer also discussed the need for the A47 to be dualled between Peterborough and Wisbech, the M11 to be extended north to the A47 and for upgrades to the A1.

He continued: “There are plans for a new smart network motorway between Stansted and Bishop’s Stortford. However, at this point in time there are no plans for this to be extended to Cambridge. Both myself and Mr O’Sullivan agreed that clearly the new network, when it’s delivered, ought to be extended to Cambridge. I will be making representations to the transport secretary on this matter over the coming weeks.

“Clearly, on the A47, Highways England already has its own improvement programme. Last summer, the Combined Authority commissioned its own report to develop the business case for dualling the entirety of the road between Peterborough and Wisbech.

“The report should be ready in the spring. At this point I will sit down again with Mr O’Sullivan and discuss next steps and the way in which the funding can be secured.”