Notorious junction improvements delayed over land

Plans to improve a notorious road junction which was the site of a triple fatal minibus crash have been delayed because of issues in "land acquisition and probate", according to a council report.

The B1040 at Bluntisham, Cambridgeshire, has been the site of a number of serious crashes, including one in which three minibus passengers were killed and eight others injured in 2019.

Cambridgeshire County Council papers state "a do nothing option on the crossroads is not recommended", and designs include a four-way signal-controlled junction.

Highways papers for Tuesday's committee meeting stated "the land acquisition required to facilitate construction of the junction had not concluded".

The committee could ask officers to proceed with a compulsory purchase order to acquire the land, if necessary.

Between 2015 and 2025 there were 33 collisions resulting in injury or fatality at the junction.

The B1040 runs between St Ives and Somersham, and it is crossed by the road between Bluntisham and Woodhurst.

Bogdan Ksaizek was jailed for five years over the 2019 minibus crash after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, when he failed to give way at the junction and hit a car.

Funding was approved for improvements five years ago.

"Due to delays in land acquisition and probate, which were beyond the control of the council, the scheme was unable to proceed as planned," the report said.

The report said the terms were agreed in principle "but a late query has been raised by one of the landowners regarding alternative access to the site".

"The council continues to seek to resolve this through negotiation, however, there is a risk that this cannot be resolved and therefore the council may need to seek acquisition through compulsory purchase."

If negotiation concludes soon, construction could begin in October, but should a compulsory purchase be required that could be delayed by 12 to 18 months.

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