Suffolk A14 closures and diversions warning for Haughley to Tot Hill reconstruction scheme, near Stowmarket
Motorists have been urged to leave extra time for their journey as temporary lane closures will be in place this week on the A14 for a £37m project.
Main work on the A14 junction 47a Haughley to junction 49 Tot Hill reconstruction scheme, near Stowmarket, will begin mid-April and last until next summer.
Ahead of that, daytime lane closures are being set up to allow National Highways to complete preparation work and to install the contraflow roadworks safely.
A contraflow is when the road is shut in one direction and traffic is moved over to drive on the opposite side of the road to share the remaining carriageway. Lane closures will be in place seven days a week, 24 hours a day between the following dates:
- Eastbound – from Friday, March 24
- Westbound – from Tuesday, March 28
Following this, the contraflow will be fully installed on the westbound carriageway between J47a Haughley and J49 Tot Hill by Tuesday, April 18 for about six months.
Once work is complete on the westbound carriageway, the contraflow will be moved over to the eastbound carriageway, with the scheme set to be completed in summer 2024.
The speed limit through the contraflow will be temporarily reduced to 50mph.
The £37m scheme will see National Highways completely remove the concrete road surface and its foundations, before rebuilding the road with recycled material and a new asphalt road surface.
As well as reconstructing the road, the project will also see replacement kerbs installed, safety barriers replaced, new road markings and new reflective road studs (cat’s eyes).
Simon Amor, National Highways head of scheme delivery, said: “We understand that living, working, or travelling in and around Suffolk while this major construction project takes place might not be easy, and we will do all we can to minimise disruption. While these lane closures are in place, we recommend motorists give themselves extra time to complete their journeys.
“We also ask road users not to ‘rat run’ on smaller, local roads, as this can impact villages and local communities. These roads aren’t suitable for the traffic that usually travels on the A14, and can lead to more congestion, and increase the risk of accidents for both motorists and pedestrians.”
Motorists are also warned that weekday overnight closures are in place on the A14 between Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich, from 8pm to 6am, to install the contraflow system and average speed cameras, from:
- Monday, March 20 20 until Friday, March 24 – A14 eastbound
- Monday, March 27 until Friday, March 31 – A14 westbound
- Monday, April 3 until Wednesday, April 5 – A14 westbound
- Tuesday, April 11 until Friday, April 14 – A14 westbound
- Monday, April 17 – A14 eastbound
Eastbound traffic will be diverted to exit the A14 at junction 43, before taking the A143 towards Diss and then the A140 towards Ipswich to re-join the A14 at J51. Westbound traffic will follow this route in reverse.
Local traffic will still be able to access the A14 westbound at junction 47 and the A14 eastbound at junction 49.
National Highways will be hosting two public information events to share further details about the upcoming scheme.
Simon Amor added: “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 National Highways team will be at:
- Stowmarket Leisure Centre, in Gainsborough Road, Stowmarket, on Thursday, March 30 from 2.30pm to 7.30pm
- The Wesley coffee shop, meeting room, School Road, Elmswell, on Friday, March 31 March from 11am to 4pm
