Roads minister Baroness Vere has confirmed today (Thursday) that a new 12-mile section of the A14 bypass for Huntingdon will open in December - a year ahead of schedule.
The Huntingdon section is part of a £1.5bn project to upgrade 21 miles of the A14 in Cambridgeshire, the biggest road upgrade under construction in the UK.
Once completed, the project will save drivers up to 20 minutes on journeys, benefitting people living and working in the East of England and the whole UK by improving access to and from the country's biggest container port at Felixstowe.
The bypass had been due to open alongside the rest of the improved A14 by the end of 2020, but progress made by the Highways England-led project team means that the road will now be ready for drivers to use this December.
Shailesh Vara, MP for North West Cambridgeshire, said: "The A14 bypass project is vital for local people and businesses, and the news that it is being delivered so far ahead of schedule is most welcome.
"I am glad that my constituents, and people across the wider region, will begin to see a reduction in their journey times.
"The route will not just be welcomed here in Cambridgeshire, but across the country as it improves access to and from key ports including Felixstowe."
Huntingdon MP, Jonathan Djanogly, added: "The news that this government is delivering a 12-mile bypass for Huntingdon a year ahead of schedule really hammers home the level of commitment to infrastructure in our area, and beyond. This bypass will benefit people and businesses across the region, and the UK as a whole, and will prove vital in boosting access to key regional ports. We will start seeing the benefits as early as December, including reduced journey times, and the beginning of additional improvements to roads in and around Huntingdon. I have long campaigned for such improvements, and I am delighted that the government has listened."
Roads minister Baroness Vere said: "This Government is committed to delivering an infrastructure revolution and it's fantastic that a key section of this vital route will be delivered a year ahead of schedule, helping people travelling in the East of England get to their destination quickly and safely. The A14 upgrade will not only improve the experience for local drivers but will also boost access between the region's ports and the West Midlands - a key logistics hub.
"I look forward to seeing the benefits in action in December and to seeing similar infrastructure schemes developing around the country as we improve links and spread growth opportunities."
This must be good news for the truckers using Felixstowe
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