Could Suffolk’s A14 and A12 become part of new national “Expressway” network?


The campaign aims to improve junctions on the A14 in Suffolk. Picture: ARCHANT

Suffolk’s busiest roads have been included in a list of new national “Expressway” routes by the government – raising hopes that the A14 in the county could be in line for major improvements in years ahead.

Campaigners are trying to get improvements on the A14 in Suffolk. Picture: SUFFOLK CHAMBERCampaigners are trying to get improvements on the A14 in Suffolk. Picture: SUFFOLK CHAMBER
And that would also mean the A12 between Colchester and Copdock could also be improved to ensure the region’s strategic road network was fit for the 21st century.
Highways England, the government-owned company with responsibility for the operation, maintenance and improvement of the motorways and trunk roads in England, has issued its Strategic Road Network Initial Report.
This provides a long list of those roads projects that have met the basic criteria for further evaluation by the Department for Transport.
The A14 in Suffolk is marked as a ‘“current, planned and potential expressway.” The report outlines the phased process in upgrading a highway into an expressway, including improvements to junctions with other roads – the key demand of the current campaign.
Bury St Edmunds MP Jo Churchill MP, chair of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce-led No More A14 Delays in Suffolk Strategy Board, welcomed the A14’s inclusion in the report.
She said: “This news is a huge motivator in our campaign to improve the A14 in Suffolk. Recognition of the need to upgrade the A14 to an expressway, is incredibly promising.”
Stephen Britt, chair of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce’s Transport & Infrastructure Board added: “the inclusion of the A14 in Suffolk as a potential expressway is great news for the county and a vindication of the No More A14 Delays in Suffolk campaign.
“Expressways are motorway-grade two-lane highways and their designation requires that all junctions off and onto them are enhanced – the whole point of our lobbying efforts to address the seven major pinch points along the A14 in Suffolk. 
“We now look forward to the Department for Transport’s consultation into this report where we will continue to make the case for the A14 – and other Suffolk projects – being included in the final Roads Investment Strategy 2.”
The seven pinch points on the A14 that the Chamber wants to see improved are:
Junction 37 (Exning) where the A14 meets the busy A142
Junction 43 (Bury St. Edmunds - Central) which suffers from significant tailbacks as it meets the A134
Junction 44 (Bury St Edmunds - Moreton Hall) which suffers from significant tailbacks, with a major development still to be built
Junction 55 (Copdock Interchange) where the A14 meets the busy A12 and A1214
Junction 56 (Ipswich - Wherstead) which reaches its safe capacity at peak times, especially with HGVs
Junction 57 (Ipswich - Ransomes Europark) which reaches its safe capacity at peak times, especially with HGVs 
Junction 58 (Ipswich - Seven Hills) where the A14 meets the busy A12

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