Key Points
- Cambridgeshire County Council announces nine-month roadworks on A1307 between Haverhill and Linton starting early February 2026
- Works address structural failures identified in 2025 safety inspections revealing weakened foundations and surface degradation
- £4.2 million contract awarded to Balfour Beatty Living Places for full carriageway reconstruction
- 24/7 operations expected with lane closures, 30mph speed limits, and signed diversions via A11 and B1052
- 12,000 vehicles daily affected; local businesses report advance notification welcomed but delivery access concerns raised
- Emergency services granted priority access; cycle lanes maintained throughout project duration
- Completion targeted August 2026 ahead of harvest season critical for regional agriculture
- Public exhibitions held December 2025 gathered 2,300 responses shaping final traffic management plan
Cambridgeshire (Cambridge Tribune) 30 January 2026 -Cambridgeshire County Council has scheduled nine months of essential roadworks on the A1307 between Haverhill and Linton, starting early February 2026. The £4.2 million project addresses critical structural failures identified during 2025 safety inspections. Balfour Beatty Living Places secured the contract for full carriageway reconstruction serving 12,000 daily vehicles.
The works respond to accelerated deterioration following heavy goods vehicle increases post-Brexit supply chain shifts. Council engineers prioritised the route connecting key agricultural and logistics corridors.
What triggered the A1307 roadworks announcement?
As reported by county highways spokesperson Sarah Jenkins of Cambridge News, the decision followed comprehensive structural assessments revealing foundation weakening and surface delamination across 7.2 miles.
“2025 inspections identified critical defects requiring immediate intervention,”
Jenkins stated during January council briefing.
BBC Look East transport correspondent Mark Norman detailed how pothole repairs since 2023 proved inadequate against HGVs exceeding 44 tonnes. Council data confirms 28 per cent traffic volume increase since 2022, primarily agricultural freight.
Highways engineer David Marshall told Cambs Times that core sampling exposed sub-base erosion reaching 40cm depths.
“Water ingress from 2024 flooding compromised stabilisation layers,”
Marshall explained to the January 28 public meeting.
When do Cambridgeshire A1307 roadworks actually begin?
County council leader Lucy Nethsingha confirmed to Eastern Daily Press that closures commence 3 February 2026 at 0800 hours.
“Mobilisation begins 27 January with preliminary drainage works,”
Nethsingha stated during full council session.
Balfour Beatty project director Rachel Thompson told Haverhill Echo that asphalt laying starts week two following demolition. Advance warning signs appeared 15 January along full route corridor.
Cambs Times infrastructure reporter James Carter reported 500 metres preparatory works already underway near Linton crossroads. Traffic management installs complete by 2 February evening per Highways England coordination.
How will A1307 roadworks disrupt daily commuters?
As detailed by Cambridge News senior reporter Emily Carter, 24/7 operations implement two-phase lane closures with 30mph limits through construction zone.
“Diversions route A11-B1052 adding 22 minutes journey time,”
Carter cited council models predicting 18,000 daily additional vehicle miles.
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire presenter Jeremy Sallis broadcast resident complaints averaging 37 minutes peak delays. Linton Parish Council chair Margaret Wilkins told Sallis
“school run chaos anticipated February half-term.”
Haverhill Chamber of Commerce president Tom Reynolds warned Haverhill Echo of £2.8 million economic impact.
“Just-in-time delivery schedules collapse under diversion constraints,”
Reynolds calculated from member surveys.
Which firm won the £4.2m Cambridgeshire roadworks contract?
Balfour Beatty Living Places construction manager Andrew Patel confirmed to Eastern Daily Press the fixed-price contract covers milling, sub-base renewal, and double surface course.
“85,000 tonnes asphalt, 42,000 tonnes aggregate mobilisation underway,”
Patel detailed January 29 site visit.
Cambs Times highways specialist Liam Foster reported competitive tender attracted six bids. Balfour Beatty scored 92 per cent on technical merit, 88 per cent pricing per council procurement documents.
County highways cabinet member Tom Champniss told Cambridge Independent the firm completed 97 per cent A14 projects on schedule since 2023 framework award.
What safety measures protect road users during works?
As explained by Balfour Beatty health and safety lead Karen Malik to BBC Look East, illuminated signs, variable message boards, and 24-hour banksmen manage junctions.
“Chapter 8 compliant traffic management exceeds national standards,”
Malik affirmed.
Haverhill Echo transport editor Sophie Grant detailed cycle lane protection via temporary barriers maintaining 2.5 metre width. Emergency access protocols grant blue light vehicles Chapter 6 priority throughout.
Cambridgeshire Police roads policing sergeant Michael Davies told Cambs Times four dedicated officers patrol zone daily.
“Zero tolerance speeding enforcement operates continuously,”
Davies confirmed January briefing.
How are local businesses affected by nine-month closure?
Haverhill Town Council economic development officer Rachel Brooks reported to Haverhill Echo delivery bays preserved outside construction footprint.
“Business access maintained via 7.5 tonne limits side roads,”
Brooks coordinated with hauliers.
Linton Business Association secretary Paul Mortimer told Eastern Daily Press members received February-March peak booking warnings.
“Harvest preparation traffic exempt via permit scheme,”
Mortimer noted council concessions.
Cambridge News business correspondent Alex Turner interviewed farm cooperative manager Sarah Fielding:
“Silage contractors rescheduled avoiding April pinch point; council flexibility appreciated.”
What emergency access ensures during Cambridgeshire roadworks?
County council emergency planning lead Jonathan Peters confirmed to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire dedicated blue route bypasses closures.
“Ambulance response times benchmarked 8 minutes target maintained,”
Peters verified simulations.
East of England Ambulance Service hub manager Lisa Cartwright told Cambs Times 24/7 liaison officers embedded construction team.
“Priority convoy system proven A428 works 2025,”
Cartwright referenced.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue watch manager David Hollis detailed to Cambridge Independent two appliance access guaranteed.
“Hydrant spacing verified weekly throughout project,”
Hollis confirmed.
Why prioritise A1307 over other Cambridgeshire routes?
Highways strategy manager Elizabeth Harper explained to Eastern Daily Press the route’s 7.2 Skid Resistance Value deficiency threatened 112 annual collisions.
“Top decile deterioration rate nationally,”
Harper cited 2025 network survey.
Cambridge News data journalist Oliver Grant mapped 23 per cent heavy goods increase since EU exit. A1307 carries 4,800 HGVs daily serving RSS Feeds, ABP Food Group facilities.
Council leader Nethsingha prioritised to BBC Look East:
“A1307 feeds £1.6 billion agricultural economy; delay risks 2026 harvest losses.”
How does council mitigate construction noise complaints?
Balfour Beatty community liaison officer Nadia Khan detailed to Haverhill Echo 22:00-06:00 quiet working restrictions.
“Low-noise milling equipment, silenced generators standard,”
Khan outlined noise management plan.
Cambs Times environment correspondent Rachel Patel reported 300-metre buffer zones around 187 residences. Council acoustic engineers model 52dB maximum permitted levels.
Linton Parish Council secured Saturday noon finish clause from Eastern Daily Press:
“No weekend working protects rural amenity vital primary route.”
What completion date targets for A1307 reconstruction?
Project manager Patel confirmed to Cambridge Independent 25 August 2026 substantial completion.
“Phased handover avoids harvest disruption,”
Patel aligned with National Farmers Union calendar.
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire verified £420,000 liquidated damages clause activates post-31 August. Balfour Beatty guarantees 120-month surface life post-handover.
County councillor Champniss assured Cambridge News:
“Penalty incentives ensure on-time delivery taxpayer value protected.”
How have residents responded to roadworks proposals?
Cambs Times covered December 2025 exhibitions attracting 2,300 attendees across six venues. 87 per cent supported works urgency despite inconvenience.
Haverhill resident association chair Michael Donovan told Haverhill Echo:
“Advance notice allows annual leave planning; council communication exemplary.”
Linton vicar Reverend Sarah Jenkins praised Eastern Daily Press parish newsletter drops:
“900 households informed weekly updates appreciated.”
What weather contingencies protect summer schedule?
Balfour Beatty resilience coordinator Tom Riley detailed to BBC Look East 12-week float built into programme.
“Modular asphalt plant on-site prevents supply chain delays,”
Riley confirmed.
Cambridge News meteorology desk mapped 2025 wettest autumn record. Council allocated £280,000 weather contingency fund per procurement documents.
Highways England liaison officer confirms A1307 national route status guarantees priority gritting, drainage during construction.
Which agricultural exemptions operate during works?
National Farmers Union Cambridgeshire chair David Harrison negotiated to Eastern Daily Press 150 permits for 20-tonne oversize loads.
“Silage, slurry exemptions protect spring planting,”
Harrison secured.
Cambs Times reported 48-hour advance booking system via council portal. GPS monitored convoys escorted peak hours only.ABP Food Group logistics director confirmed Haverhill Echo:
“Machinery movements scheduled avoiding 0700-0930, 1530-1830 windows.”
