We're investing £200m to improve roads across the east of England

Millions of road-users in the east of England are set to enjoy safer and smoother journeys, with improvements to roads, pavements and bridges across the region over the next 12 months. 

The announcement comes as the Government continues its drive to level up transport in regions right across the country, investing in vital infrastructure and boosting both connections and local economies.  Well-known motorways and major A roads including the M11, A14, A1, A47 and A12 are all included in the planned package.  

Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists will all benefit from the planned works, which include road resurfacing, bridge joint replacements, the creation of cycle lanes, improved signage and enhancements to the surrounding environment. 

In total, Highways England will spend more than £200 million on more than 80 schemes across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. 

 

Work on the comprehensive maintenance and improvement programme has already begun, with National Highways beginning an extensive programme of concrete road upgrades. 

Many concrete roads, such as the A11, A12 and A14 were laid more than 40 years ago. Decades of use and hundreds of millions of journeys have left the road in need of vital upgrades which will create a smoother road surface, reduce noise for motorists and nearby residents and improve safety. 

Schemes are set to begin soon at the following four locations: 

• A11 Spooner Row to Tuttles Interchange in Norfolk 

• A12 J25 Marks Tey in Essex 

• A12 J13 – J15 Margaretting in Essex 

• A14 J47 Haughley - J49 Tothill in Suffolk 

 

A significant package of maintenance works is also planned for the region including road resurfacing, laying of road studs, and improvements being made to drainage and safety barriers in the following areas: 

• A1 J17 Fletton Parkway Interchange near Peterborough 

• A12 J25 Marks Tey Interchange to J29 Ardleigh Crown Interchange in Essex 

• A120 Stansted Braintree  

• M11 J8-9 in Essex 

• A47 J15 to Eye Green near Peterborough 

• A47 Dereham Spring in Norfolk 

 

To keep up to date with National Highways maintenance and renewals programme in the east, visit our road maintenance webpage. 

From April 2021 to April March 2022, National Highways resurfaced 213 lane miles of motorways and major A roads in the east. A further 84,800 road studs were laid to help light the way for drivers, 864 traffic signs were erected, 115 bridge joints installed, and 100 lighting improvements made. 67,950 linear meters of drainage were renewed and 19 flooding hotspots across the region were addressed.