Subsidence On Suffolk's A14 To Be Fixed

25 February 2010, 06:39 | Updated: 25 February 2010, 06:44

Repairs to a short section of the A14 in Suffolk are to be made from today.

The Highways Agency investigated a small area of subsidence on the westbound A14 at Rougham, 3.5 miles east of Bury St Edmunds, finding the dip was caused by the settlement of the soil above the drainage pipe running underneath the carriageway.

This part of the road which angered local residents and MP David Ruffley, also flooded after rainfall.

A permanent repair will be carried out from today – replacing a temporary measure put in place in 2009 so the road could remain open and safe.

Julian O’Dell, Highways Agency Project Manager, said:

“We will carry out the repair largely overnight, when traffic flows are lower, in order to minimise disruption to drivers. However, due to the nature of the work, we will need to close the westbound A14 at Rougham for one weekend, when a contraflow will be in operation on the eastbound side.

“Drivers should be aware all work is weather–dependant, but we will be working as quickly as possible to complete the work and keep delays to a minimum.”

Work will last approximately one week, carried out between 8pm and 6am, Monday to Friday.

Overnight lane closures will be in place on 2.5 miles (4 km) of the westbound A14, with a temporary 50 mph speed restriction on both carriageways. In addition, there will be a continuous weekend closure of the westbound carriageway from 6pm on Saturday 27 February until 6am on Monday 1 March, with a contraflow operating on the eastbound carriageway.

The slip road onto the westbound A14 at the Rookery crossroads will be closed during the weekend work, with a signed diversion route in place allowing traffic to join the A14 at Rougham Hall Nurseries.

If the work is postponed due to poor weather, it will be rescheduled to take place the following weekend.