National Highways has launched a consultation on proposals for the busy A14 Copdock Interchange in Suffolk.
The scheme is one of a possible 32 projects that the government-owned company, working with the Department for Transport, has identified for development as part of the Road Investment Strategy 3 (2025-2030) pipeline.
The A14 Junction 55 Copdock Interchange, located south west of Ipswich and 14 miles west of the Port of Felixstowe, is one of the key strategic junctions serving Ipswich via the A14, A12 and A1214.
National Highways said the junction regularly suffers from congestion and poor journey time reliability, which has a significant impact on national and internationally based businesses.
James Goodman, project manager for A14 Junction 55 Copdock Interchange, said: ‘The A14 has national and international importance helping to connect the Port of Felixstowe on the east coast with the Midlands and beyond. The Port forms an essential component of the regional and national economy, handling up to 9,000 HGVs per day and moving 25,000 tonnes of goods per year.
‘The consultation is intended for people who live, work and travel in and around the A14 Copdock Interchange to have their say on improvement proposals currently under consideration.’
National Highways said that any potential scheme would look to improve journey times at the junction, increase reliability and facilitate the smooth flow of traffic.
Following ‘a rigorous option identification process’, National Highways is asking for feedback on two remaining options for the junction.
Option 1 (above) – increase the capacity of the existing junction to help accommodate the future demand. This will be done by widening the circulatory carriageway and the provision of free flow left turn lanes at three of the four entry arms.
Option 4 (below) – decrease the volume of traffic at the existing junction by removing the A12 (South) to A14 (East) (and vice versa) movements onto separate link roads. This option will see a new free flow two-way grade-separated link road built.
National Highways said that once the consultation has closed it will undertake a programme of analysis and produced and publish a consultation report.
If approved for funding by the DfT, a Preferred Route Announcement will then present the best option to be taken forward to detailed design and planning approval.
As part of the consultation, which will run until 9 December, National Highways will host four public information events ‘to allow people to find out more about the proposals, ask questions and share their thoughts’.
