Tarmac heralds quieter times

By Richard Cornwell

PEACEFUL sleep could be just around the corner for people living near a stretch of the A14 used by thousands of lorries, thanks to work taking place this week.

The project – being carried out at night and should be completed by the weekend – aims to make the dual carriageway quieter for drivers and people living next to the road.

Highways Agency contractors Amey Mouchel of Great Blakenham are upgrading the surface of the trunk road serving Dock Gate One in both directions.

It has meant the A14 leading down to the gate – the entrance to the port for thousands of lorries every week – being closed and diversions set up.

Agency area manager, Paul Undrell, said: "The work involves planing out the existing surface and replacing it with a quieter, smoother surface which will provide road users with a more pleasant journey, reducing vehicle vibration and noise.

"The closures are necessary to ensure the safety of motorists and site personnel while the maintenance works are being completed.

"The work is happening overnight when the traffic flows are at their lowest in order to cause minimum disruption to drivers."

The work is taking place between 9pm and 5am and is affecting 1.8 kilometres of the A14. A signed diversion route is in place to take motorists along Trinity Avenue and Walton Avenue to reach the dock gate.

The agency has urged motorists to drive safely in the affected area as there were 812 accidents at roadworks sites on A roads and motorways in 2000, in which 1,300 people were killed or injured.

They say drivers should keep to the speed limit, get into the correct lane in good time and do not keep switching lanes, concentrate on the road ahead, be alert for works' traffic, keep a safe distance and observe all signs.

n Information about roadworks throughout the region is available from the Highways Agency hotline on 08457 50 40 30.

WEBLINK

www.highways.gov.uk