Highway improvement work which started on the A10/A142 ‘BP’ roundabout in July finishes ahead of schedule.
Our contractors have managed to complete the work as quickly and efficiently as possible, and the project was completed at the weekend, originally anticipated to be the end of November.
The work, which started in July, has seen all approaches to the BP roundabout widened with now at least two lane entries, the eastbound arm of the roundabout has three lanes and a dedicated left turn lane onto the A10 north. Finally, the exit of the A10 services has been restricted to left turn only and any vehicles wishing to head west will now be required to go round the roundabout.
As part of the Lancaster Way Business Park expansion planning approval, improvements to the BP roundabout were carried out, not only to improve capacity and tackle the additional traffic, but will benefit people by providing more than 2,500 new jobs.
The work followed a feasibility study which showed the main cause of the existing local congestion was caused by the BP roundabout and identified improvements that would be required to provide capacity for the additional traffic generated by the expansion of the business park.
Cllr Ian Bates, chairman of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “I’m really pleased the work at the BP roundabout is now complete and ahead of programme. The scheme will ease congestion and improve capacity at the junction.”
Local County Council member and Deputy Leader for East Cambridgeshire District Council, Cllr Josh Schumann said: “I’d like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience during the work. There were sections of the roundabout closed and temporary lights 24/7 which I know caused delays but it allowed the work, which was a planning requirement, to be done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Without this work, the business park enterprise zone development wouldn’t be able to proceed and bring many new businesses and jobs to the area.
Cllr Schumann added: “I know this roundabout is busy with lots of strategic long distance traffic and while this work is only a medium term fix, until the bigger A10 transport project from the Combined Authority comes along, it was important for the work to be done in the meantime. I’d also like to reiterate, walking and cycling improvements will be made to the area, this is a firm commitment of the Combined Authority as part of its A10 transport project – it is a promise in the Local Transport Plan and it’s a promise that I will be holding them to. I have to pay particular tribute to Cllr Anna Bailey who has worked tirelessly to ensure that the much needed roundabout improvements were delivered and I know Cllr Bailey will be delighted that these works have been completed and ahead of schedule”
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor James Palmer said: “It’s excellent to see the accelerated delivery of the A10/A142 BP Roundabout ahead of schedule. It will improve capacity for the residents and businesses of Ely and enable the growth the Business Park Enterprise Zone. I look forward to seeing the future development of A142/Lancaster Way progressing with the same urgency when it is presented to the Cambridgeshire County Council’s Highways and Transport Committee on 10th November.”
The A10/A142 ‘BP’ roundabout was funded by the business park developer, Grovemere and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
The recent A142/Lancaster Way roundabout consultation closed on 18th September and the outcome of the consultation and final design recommendation will be presented to Cambridgeshire County Council’s Highways and Transport Committee on 10th November.
Press release from Cambridgeshire County Council
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