A14 between Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket faces overnight closures followed by 'total reconstruction' next year

A large section of a major route through Suffolk faces 'total reconstruction' and overnight closures as works are scheduled for the new year.

Repairs on the A14 will take place between Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket starting in February as National Highways looks to modernise the road.

It will see the carriageway re-laid, the installation of a new safety barrier, drains cleared, road markings repainted, and the insertion of new reflective road studs.

Work will start at junction 47A near Haughley and finish at junction 49 outside Stowmarket.

In the weeks before the repairs start, there will be overnight closures in place between junctions 43 and 51 both ways between Bury St Edmunds and Needham Market, to install a contra-flow system.

This will allow traffic to use the route while maintenance is underway.

While the contra-flow is being built, a diversion will be in place.

Motorists should take the A140 to Stuston, before driving through the village and joining the A143 to Bury St Edmunds, and vice-versa.

This could add about 40 minutes to journeys.

National Highways has warned of delays while the maintenance takes place, and said road closures may happen if absolutely necessary, although notice will be given in advance.

There are also plans to set up an SMS alert system to warn of incidents on the route that may affect peak time travel, as well as provide updates on repairs.

In addition, the barrier replacement on the A14, between junction 50 in Stowmarket and 51 in Needham Market, near the turn onto the A140, should be finished by mid-January.

More details on the February scheme will be given after the new year.

National Highways said: "Our repairs will help improve the safety of the road surface, but it will also provide a smoother and quieter journey for road users.

"Rather than repairing the potholes and cracking, the whole carriageway will face total reconstruction and be re-laid to ensure a smoother and safer ride.

"Once complete, we expect the life of the road surface to be extended by up to 40 more years, with fewer future closures for maintenance repairs, meaning more reliable journeys for road users."