Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

A14 Environmental Mitigation: Huntingdon

Thursday 26 March 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • National Highways has assessed the land used for environmental mitigation along the A14 in Huntingdon and is taking steps to improve its condition.
  • Ben Obese-Jecty expressed concern that the land has not been properly maintained after environmental schemes were implemented.
  • The Minister acknowledged that approximately 600,000 trees died as part of previous Government road schemes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ben Obese-Jecty Con Huntingdon
Transport Environment
Context

The area along the A14 in Huntingdon has environmental issues, including damage to land and trees used for mitigation.

Question

Whether she has reviewed with Cabinet colleagues the status of land used for environmental mitigation along the A14 in Huntingdon constituency. The area faces issues such as damaged land after environmental schemes were put in place, requiring assessments and improvements.

Answer from Simon Lightwood

National Highways has assessed the status of the land and is taking steps to improve its condition, including replanting substantial numbers of trees, protecting ecological sites and creating new wildlife habitats.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific problems mentioned by the questioner about buildings and access issues were not addressed.

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Q2 Ben Obese-Jecty Con Huntingdon
Transport Environment
Context

The MP previously raised concerns about the replanting of trees and maintenance issues on land used for environmental mitigation along the A14 in Huntingdon. The latest survey revealed further problems.

Question

I thank the Minister for his response the other day to my written question, which made clear that the trees would be replanted alongside the A14. I have surveyed that area in recent weeks, and it is real mess. The land has simply not been maintained after the environmental land-management schemes were put in place, so it is reassuring to hear that the trees will be replaced. However, there are other problems with some of the schemes: some of the buildings that were compulsorily purchased have not been maintained and have become dilapidated, National Highways is ransoming access to the land to local developers by charging a 30% shared value increase, just so that developers can gain access to the A14, and we have dangerous at-grade junctions. Will the Minister meet me to discuss some of the problems that we have with access to the A14 in Huntingdonshire, so that my constituents can be reassured that we are working hard to ensure that that road works as it should?

Answer from Simon Lightwood

On the specific topic of trees, it is an absolute scandal that something like 600,000 trees died as part of the previous Government's road schemes—some 90% of the trees died at that particular scheme—but of course I will be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss the individual issues that he raised.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Issues related to buildings and access problems were not directly addressed; only a commitment to discuss was given.

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