National Highways clarifies length of A14 closures between Bury St Edmunds and Elmswell after signs error

National Highways has clarified the length of a series of closures on the A14 between two towns after an error was made with signs.

Originally, a notice at the entrance to junction 47 at Woolpit said the overnight closure on the westbound carriageway from there to junction 44 at Bury St Edmunds would run from April 22 to June 6.

Now, a different sign in place saying the end of the closure is July 4.

The closures are the second phase in a series of renewal works for the stretch which started in April last year; the works will move the eastbound carriageway after the westbound repairs are complete.

A National Highways spokesperson told SuffolkNews advanced notice signs put in place before the works showed an incorrect completion date of June 6.

They said these have now been updated with the correct dates.

The works are expected to be complete on the westbound carriageway by June 30, after which the works will move the eastbound.

“At one point the programme did show July 4 as the start of the eastbound closures, after we had to pick up some additional surfacing works, but we have progressed well and should be making a start by the end of the month,” the spokesperson said.

The works include carriageway resurfacing, renewal of road marking and replacing traffic signs and traffic loops.

A diversion is in place for them; traffic travelling westbound on the A14 will be signed off at J51 onto the A140 towards Scole, then A143 & A134 back to rejoin the A14 at J43.

This will be in reverse for the eastbound direction.

There is a safety camera van on the diversion and on the A1088 to combat speeding and reduce disruption.

National Highways advised drivers to not follow their satnav and plan their journeys before they travel.

After these works, National Highways will move onto renewals between junction 51, at Beacon Hill, and junction 47.