The abandoned Haughley bends, between Haughley New Street and Stowmarket, which used to be part of the A14

‘It was dangerous. It was lethal’ – this is how historian Kieron Palmer describes a once-busy route between Haughley New Street and Stowmarket.

But his description barely captures the reality of the ‘Haughley bends’, previously known for their poor accident record and now left abandoned.

To the side of the eastbound carriageway of the A14, just after junction 47a, are the Haughley bends, which were once part of the major route but now serve as a foot and cycle path.

The stretch of road was shut nearly two decades ago after a ‘safer’, improved carriageway was built.

However, echoes of its former life can be glimpsed, as some cat’s eyes and road markings are still intact.

Recently, the abandoned road was showcased on the Facebook group ‘Ghost road – Abandoned, by-passed and roads to nowhere’.

SuffolkNews looks at the history of the lost route.

The former Haughley bends were known as an accident blackspot.

In 2003, Bury Free Press reported that over a three-year period around 11 people had been seriously injured or killed.

This number was reduced to five after speed cameras and a 50mph limit were introduced in the early 2000s.

Mr Palmer said the road’s layout is what made it so dangerous.

“People would travel at high speeds and that speed had to be significantly reduced as you came to the Haughley bends,” he said.

“You would come to a very sharp bend after junction 47a and then down a hill where cars would be queuing at a crossroad.

“Residents and councillors campaigned for safety improvements.”

In June 2007, work began on a £32 million scheme to straighten the notorious stretch of the A14.

The new dual carriageway between Haughley New Street and Tot Hill was opened to motorists in December 2008.

Life at the former carriageway slowed down, but did not completely stop.

The scheme kept the westbound section open – it now serves as a two-way access road between Haughley and Stowmarket.

The eastbound side was downgraded to a cycle and foot path.

Now the eerily quiet route – which has been blocked off with a metal gate – has been consumed by nature.

The only reminder of its past are the faint white road markings poking out from overgrowing vegetation.

One member of the Facebook group said: “Nature has taken over. I remember those roads back in 1996.”

Another said: “I cycle along these quite often and there is a good selection of wild flowers in places.

“Back in July, there where plenty of pyramid orchids along the sides of the old road.”

“I remember dad driving on the Haughley bends when I was a kid,” added another member. “Mum was always terrified.”

Do you remember the road? Comment below.