National Highways to hold second series of exhibitions for upcoming revamp of A14

As plans to create safer and smoother journeys for motorists on the A14 in Suffolk move a step closer, National Highways will host a second series of public information events next week to share details of the upcoming scheme. 

Starting on Tuesday 7 February 2023, National Highways will begin work on a scheme to reconstruct and replace the concrete road surface of the A14 carriageway between Haughley (junction 47a) and Tothill (junction 49), as a part of National Highways nationwide drive to revitalise concrete roads across the country. 

National Highways will be holding three public information events next week where people will be able to meet the team, learn about the scheme and ask questions.

Decades of use and hundreds of millions of journeys have left this stretch of the A14 in need of vital upgrades, which will improve safety, create a smoother road surface and reduce noise for drivers who travel on this section every day. 

The scheme will see National Highways completely remove the concrete road surface and some of the foundations, before rebuilding the road with recycled material and a new asphalt road surface.  

As well as resurfacing the road, the project will also see replacement kerbs installed, safety barriers replaced, new road markings and new reflective road studs (cat’s eyes).

Andy Jobling, National Highways Programme Delivery Manager, said: “The A14 is a very popular route with motorists, helping to provide a transport corridor between the North, the Midlands, and East Anglia. Upgrading this stretch will make it safer and smoother, ensuring it’s fit for the thousands of drivers who use it every day.

“We are encouraging motorists, local residents and businesses to come to one of our upcoming events to meet the team, learn more about the project, and ask any questions they have.”

The team will be at the following locations:

• Thursday 26 January 2023,1pm – 8pm
  Woolpit, St Marys Church, Rectory Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP30 9QP
• Friday 27 January 2023, 1pm – 7pm
  The Wesley Chapel, Elmswell, IP30 9EE
• Saturday 28 January 2023, 10am – 4pm
  Stowmarket Leisure Centre, Gainsborough Road, Stowmarket, IP14 1LH

Concrete roads make up almost 400 miles (4%) of England’s motorway and major A-road network. Mostly found along the eastern side of the country, in the North East, Yorkshire, East Anglia and the South East, there are also some smaller stretches in other parts of England. Around half of the old-style concrete roads in the East will either have repairs or be replaced during this period, including stretches on the A11, A14, A12, A120 and M11.  

More information about the scheme and the upcoming public information can be found on the A14 junction 47a Haughley to 49 Tothill reconstruction scheme webpage.