A14 junctions 16 to 17 drainage work

Latest updates

• 03 April 2025

  April update on our work

  We're installing new drains on the A14 near Spaldwick and Bythorn in Cambridgeshire. They will disperse surface water more effectively, reducing flooding in future.

  Work started on Monday 3 March and will last for around 12 weeks.

  We'll work overnight between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only, weather permitting.

  As part of our work, we've implemented a traffic management arrangement which has been in place since March and will remain in place until the end of the work.

  Details can be found below:

  • Lane 1 narrow lanes on the A14 between junction 16 and 17 in both directions.
  • Lane 2 closures on the A14 between junction 16 and 17 in both directions.
  • Installation of a temporary safety barrier to keep our workforce safe while work is carried out in the central reservation.

  Closures and diversions

  We'll have further overnight full closures of the A14 between junctions 13 and 21 in both directions but not simultaneously as follows:

  A14 eastbound between junctions 13 and 21

  Wednesday 9 April to Thursday 17 April 2025

  If you need to travel eastbound:

  • exit at junction 13 and follow the A605 until Fletton Parkway Interchange.
  • from the Fletton Parkway Interchange, take the third exit onto A1(M)
  • merge onto the A1
  • continue to Brampton Hut Interchange
  • take the third exit onto A141. 
  • at the roundabout, take the first exit 
  • rejoin the A14 eastbound at junction 21

  A14 westbound between junctions 21 and 13 

  Tuesday 22 April to Friday 16 May 2025

  If you need to travel westbound:

  • exit slip road at junction 21
  • from the roundabout, take the second exit onto A141
  • take the second exit from the roundabout 
  • continue on the A141 until Brampton Hut Interchange
  • at the Brampton Hut Interchange take the first exit onto the A1 northbound. 
  • continue straight and merge onto the A1(M).
  • exit at junction 17 and bear left. 
  • at the Fletton Parkway Interchange, take the first exit onto A605. 
  • continue on the A605 to Thrapston. 
  • join the A14 at junction 13

  There will be a 50mph speed restriction in place for the duration of the work to ensure the safety of road users. 

  We have been made aware of increased traffic flows through villages adjacent to our work on the A14. We're committed to ensuring the disruption to these communities is kept to a minimum. To do this we've implemented the following measures:

  • Additional signage to advise diverted traffic.
  • A camera van – speeding offences will be referred to the police for action.
  • A full closure of the eastbound exit slip road at junction 15 including the central reservation (Toll Bar lane) – implemented on Tuesday 18 March 2025.

  We're continually monitoring the situation and concerns raised; we hope these measures will help resolve any concerns.

• 25 February 2025

  We start work on 3 March

  We're installing new drains on the A14 near Spaldwick and Bythorn in Cambridgeshire. They will disperse surface water more effectively reducing flooding in future.

  We start work on Monday 3 March 2025 for around 12 weeks.

  We'll work overnight between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only, weather permitting.

  Closures and diversions

  To work safely, we'll need road closures in one direction at a time.

  We'll close the A14 between 13 (Thrapston Interchange) and 21 (Brampton) overnight on the following dates:

  Monday 3 March to Wednesday 5 March

  A14 eastbound between junctions 13 and 21.

  Thursday 6, Friday 7 and Monday 10 March

  A14 westbound between junctions 21 and 13. 

  There will also be a temporary 50mph speed restriction during the work.

  Diversion

  If you're travelling westbound you should:

  • take the A1 northbound towards Alconbury
  • continue onto the A1(M) to exit at junction 17
  • take the A605 to Thrapston, before continuing your journey

  If you're travelling eastbound, follow this diversion in the opposite direction.

  Diversion route map.

  We'll need further diversions in April and May. We'll publish details on this page closer to the time

  Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

  Thank you for your patience.

• 19 February 2025

  Work starts in March 2025

  Due to flooding issues, we’ll be installing new drains on the A14 near Spaldwick and Bythorn in Cambridgeshire. This will help better disperse surface water, and reduce future flooding.

  We'll need road closures to do the work safely.

  More details will be provided.

  The A14 will be closed between 13 (Thrapston Interchange) and 21 (Brampton), but we'll be working in one direction at a time.

  Diversion routes will be in place. 

  Main diversion

  Non-motorway diversion