MOTORISTS are facing weeks of delays through the summer on a notorious stretch of the A14 as Highways Agency bosses introduce a 40mph speed limit and lane closures.

MOTORISTS are facing weeks of delays through the summer on a notorious stretch of the A14 as Highways Agency bosses introduce a 40mph speed limit and lane closures.

A £32 million scheme to provide a safer A14 in the Haughley Bends area where there have been many accidents is reaching a critical stage as work to tie in the new road to the current carriageway begins.

The project involves constructing a new 2.3 mile dual carriageway between Haughley New Street and Stowmarket, with the scheme expected to be completed by the end of the year.

But in order to undertake the next phase managers will have to introduce a 40mph limit on both carriageways from the middle of July until mid September.

And during six weekends - from July 18 to September 2 - there will be a contra flow system in operation from the Friday night to the early hours of the Monday mornings along four miles of the A14.

One entire carriageway will be closed and traffic moved on to the other during weekends, although Highways Agency managers will not do this during the bank holiday weekend.

Mike Povey, project manager with the Highways Agency, said: “I do sympathise with motorists about the delays that will be caused but it is inevitable.

“We have done all we can to minimise disruption.”