ADVANCE VIEW OF PLANS FOR THE £32 MILLION A14 HAUGHLEY NEW STREET TO STOWMARKET IMPROVEMENT SCHEME, SUFFOLK
HIGHWAYS AGENCY News Release (E05-06) issued by the Government News Network on 11 January 2006
Plans for the proposed new section of the A14 from Haughley New Street to Stowmarket, Suffolk will be on display at two public exhibitions this month. The exhibitions are being held in advance of the publication of draft Orders in Spring 2006.
The exhibitions will be held at the following locations and times:
- Thursday 19 January at the Ron Crascall Pavilion, King George's Fields, Green Lane, Haughley, from 12:00noon to 20:00.
- Saturday 21 January at the United Reformed Church, Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, from 10:00 to 16:00.
Representatives of the Highways Agency and its contractors, Birse Civils Ltd, Mouchel Parkman and WSP will be available to answer questions.
The £32m safety improvement scheme will realign the main carriageway of the A14 between Haughley New Street and Stowmarket, and provide a new two-level junction to provide safer access to the A14 from the villages of Haughley, Haughley New Street and Harleston. The majority of the work will be carried out away from the existing A14 carriageway. This will minimise disruption to motorists.
Roger Hawkins, Highways Agency project manager, said:
"These exhibitions are being held in advance of the draft Orders being published in Spring. We are giving residents and other stakeholders the opportunity to view the plans for the scheme and to raise any issues or concerns they may have.
"This scheme is much needed and will improve safety on the A14 and reduce accidents. Other features include safe crossing points for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, as well as extensive landscaping to reduce the environmental impact of the scheme."
Draft Orders for the scheme are due to be published in Spring 2006. Depending on the nature and weight of objections it may be necessary to hold a Public Inquiry before the scheme can proceed. Start of construction is expected in 2007, subject to a positive outcome of the statutory processes.
For further information about the A14 Haughley New Street to Stowmarket scheme, visit http://www.highways.gov.uk.
Notes to Editors
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. It manages, maintains and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf of the Secretary of State.
2. The contract was awarded to Birse Civils Limited on 14 March 2005.
3. The announcement of the preferred route for the A14 Haughley Bends was made on 15 March 2004 (press notice EHA36/04 of 15 March 2005 refers).
4. For real-time traffic information, the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated telephone service is on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more)
5. For general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk or telephone the Highways Agency information line on 08457 50 40 30. (Calls from BT landlines to 0845 numbers will cost no more than 4p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more. Service operates: 8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends.)
Issued on behalf of the Highways Agency by the Government News Network East.
