South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge is keeping up the pressure on Highways England in a bid to ensure that maintenance work on the A14 includes resurfacing the road between Copdock Mill and the Wherstead interchange.

Residents of Pinewood and Belstead have complained for years about the noise created by traffic driving along the road which was made of concrete back in the mid-1980s.

Now Highways England has signed a £3m deal with civil engineering giant Tarmac to carry out work to the A14 around Ipswich and the A12 at various points between Ipswich and Brentwood in Essex.

The work will involve resurfacing, replacing and installing new signs, replacing road markings, barrier renewal, drainage and embankment work.

Mr Cartlidge contacted senior Highways England engineer Aran Nugent about the work – and was told the agency would be looking at what should be done to the concrete stretch between now and December.

Resurfacing work on that section of road was not part of the £3m contract – but Highways England would be looking at whether the concrete should be resurfaced, grooved, or have other treatment to try to make it quieter.

He said: “I have been impressed by the speed with which Highways England has approached the issue – it was only on 24 September that we held the initial meeting with Belstead Parish Council and they will be looking at possible solutions by December.

“Any work will need to depend on cost, but it is good news that they are moving ahead with the work.”

The work on the junctions will be carried out overnight and during the week, to keep disruption to a minimum. More details about the work will be announced shortly once a programme has been drawn up by the contractor.

Mr Nugent said: “The appointment of the contractor is a vital part of the delivery of improvements to some of our major roads in Essex and Suffolk.

“We expect the work to start in the winter and be completed in the spring next year.

“We will work with the contractor on how the works will affect people, but I’d like to assure drivers, where possible, disruption will be kept to a minimum and to bear with us while the works take place as there will be a small amount of pain for a large amount of gain.”