CambridgeshireLive readers have shared strong views on tree replanting and traffic issues after an MP branded the A14 a ‘real mess’

Cambridgeshire Live readers have shared their thoughts about the replanting of thousands of trees along the A14 and the road’s day-to-day operation. Several comments centred on traffic flow and safety concerns, while others questioned National Highways’ strategy and the timing and maintenance of the new planting.

Thousands of trees are set to be replanted along the A14, as an MP described the condition of the road as a “real mess”. In 2021, a council report revealed that nearly one million trees had died after being planted on the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon.

National Highways acknowledged a “high failure rate” in 2023 and shared its intention to replant 160,000 new trees by March 2024. During a parliamentary debate on March 26, 2026, Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty described the road as a “real mess”.

He added: “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.” Simon Lightwood, MP for Wakefield and Rothwell, also described it as an “absolute scandal” that approximately “90% of trees died at that particular scheme”.

National Highways has acknowledged once more that it has “not been good enough”, and confirmed plans to replant 50,000 trees. A spokesperson said: “The A14 scheme delivered major economic, safety and environmental benefits, but we recognise that our performance on tree planting has not been good enough.

“After identifying losses caused by several factors, including rootstock selection, weather conditions, soil nutrient levels and aftercare, we have launched a 50,000 tree trial to test new measures and inform our future planting regime for all our schemes.”

Opinions remain divided on whether the route has proved beneficial. One reader, Weneedqueenmeghan comments: “The whole road has been a disaster, nothing but crashes and jams all day. Solved nothing.”

Whynot2 disagrees: “Traffic moves along quickly and smoothly, better than the old part of the A14, yes, there are RTCs, but there were on the old road. Or do you want the original routes going through populated areas?”

Freddly comments: “Typical of the contemptuous approach National Highways takes towards mitigation measures, which it is the first to trumpet in glossy websites when it is trying to ensure its schemes remain in the government’s Roads Programme. National Highways is a gravy train. Big salaries, big pensions for second-rate work.”

Polishedhelmet writes: “Great to see National Highways are taking responsibility and fully committing to replacing all their dead trees. I’d hate to think they were taking liberties by merely ‘planning a trial’ to replace only a fraction of them.”

Over on our Facebook page, David B comments: “What happened to the other 50,000? The contractor’s inability to manage them means they should replace all of them. It should have been in the contract that they have to maintain them & regularly water them for at least 12 months.

“Also, why are they planting them now rather than in their winter dormant period. They would have stood a better chance of being planted in a wet winter. Now we will be coming into a possible dry spell (the ground is already very dry) they will need significantly amount of watering & feed.”

Peter Palmer writes: “The most important thing is to plant them at the correct time of year.”

Are National Highways doing enough by replanting these trees? Comment below or HERE to join in the debate.