Delays are hampering the start of the £16.9 million replacement crossing at Kings Dyke, Whittlesey.

Cambs Times: The route chosen bypasses the existing level crossing to the south. It involves the creation of two new roundabouts at Funthams Lane and the brickworks access road. In the public consultation, this route was labelled Location 3 and had the support of a majority of respondents (58%) as well as a number of local businesses and Whittlesey Town Council.The route chosen bypasses the existing level crossing to the south. It involves the creation of two new roundabouts at Funthams Lane and the brickworks access road. In the public consultation, this route was labelled Location 3 and had the support of a majority of respondents (58%) as well as a number of local businesses and Whittlesey Town Council. (Image: Archant)

Reports to county councillors this month reveal the delays have been caused in part by gaining access to private land for ground inspection surveys.

This has delayed the completion of getting on with the job but council officials expect these to be resolved this month.

“Planning permission has been granted and the tender package prepared,” says a report to councillors.

Officers say that meeting timings is dependent on land acquisition, concluding agreements with Network Rail and agreeing a contractor’s programme.

However if outstanding issues can be resolved quickly, the council is still hoping the scheme can open next summer.

The majority of funding has already been allocated with £5 million from the Growth Deal, £3 million from the Local Transport Body and £3.5 million from county council funding.

The scheme will create a new 1.1 km road taking the A605 over the railway line via a 32 metre long bridge with a separate cycle and foot path along its entire length.

The A605 carries over 12,000 vehicles a day and is often closed at the level crossing barrier between eight and 25 minutes every hour due to train movements on the track. Councillor Ian Bates, chairman of the county council economy and environment committee believes there will be “significant benefits for the local community, for businesses in Whittlesey and for commuters in general. “The economic benefits of this scheme are obvious - local businesses have told us this is the right project in the right place - but most importantly, this is a piece of infrastructure which will make a real difference to people’s lives.”