Cambridgeshire County Council has agreed to redirect £890,000 from an active travel route between Whittlesford and Duxford to a new pedestrian and cycle crossing at the A14 Histon interchange.
This funding move is part of a broader allocation of more than £14 million set to support 16 active travel schemes across Cambridgeshire over the next four years. The move aims to improve safety for students and other locals crossing the busy A14 near Histon, particularly those attending Impington Village College.
Funding sources and approvals
The capital comes from the Local Transport Consolidated Settlement Fund, distributed by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA). The £890,000 reallocation requires further approval by Active Travel England and the CPCA before it is finalised.
Planned active travel schemes
Sixteen schemes will receive funding until 2030, including:
- Alconbury Weald to Huntingdon Railway Station: widening the shared-use path between Great Stukeley and Alconbury Weald, linking to Huntingdon Station via Stukeley Meadows, expected to complete by July 2028.
- A505 Granta Park: constructing a new shared-use path alongside the A505 slip road, connecting existing routes to Granta Science and Technology Park, due by March 2028.
- Cromwell Road, Wisbech: building a new footpath linking residential, business, and retail areas, targeted for March 2028.
- Ely to Soham: establishing a new active travel route connecting to the National Cycle Network and the proposed Soham to Wicken Greenway, expected completion by March 2030.
- School Streets: £80,000 annual funding to enhance signing, lining, and walking, wheeling and cycling access improvements.
A shared-use path refers to a route shared by pedestrians and cyclists.
What the Histon crossing addresses
The new crossing will provide a safe way to cross the A14 near Histon, addressing a current gap in active travel infrastructure. The crossing will enhance safety for students commuting between Cambridge and Histon.
Additional revenue funding
The council also approved £2.776 million of revenue funding from the same settlement to support behaviour change initiatives such as Bikeability training for schools, adaptive cycling courses, community cargo-share hubs, and schemes promoting safety for women and girls.
Council comment and regional standing
Councillor Alex Beckett, chair of the Highways and Transport Committee, said active travel remains a top priority. He emphasised the importance of reliable active travel links between homes, schools, workplaces, and leisure sites, citing benefits like safer streets, reduced isolation, cleaner air, and better public health.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have achieved level three out of four ratings for their active travel approach by Active Travel England, a joint highest rating nationally.
Further details and costs for individual schemes can be found in the council's committee papers published online. This funding package follows the county council’s earlier £58 million highways investment this year.
