Suffolk PCC calls for lower speed limit on A14

A police boss said users of a major road in Suffolk faced “chaos and pandemonium” as he called for a speed limit trial to reduce collisions.

The A14 has seen a spate of collisions leading to full and partial closures over the past few weeks.

National Highways data given to the BBC showed there had been a significant closure caused by collisions about every four days, on average, between 2021 and 2024. Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Tim Passmore called for a lower speed limit and said “something has got to be done”, says the BBC.

“I think many of us have known that for many years it simply is not fit for purpose and doing nothing about it is not acceptable,” he said.

Passmore explained he made use of the road most days and just last week faced three mornings where he was delayed due to incidents.

He called for the speed limit trial to stretch 16 miles (27.74km) from junction 51, at the Beacon Hill Interchange, through to junction 58 for the Seven Hills Interchange.

“I am fed up with hearing about delays,” he added. “The use of police time costs the taxpayer a fortune so we do need some solutions.” He continued: “I’m not an expert, I’m not a highways engineer, but what I do know is that this chaos and pandemonium has got to stop.

“If there are areas where you need to have a reduced speed limit well then let’s look at it seriously, let’s get the evidence and see if it works.”

Passmore highlighted the 60mph limit on the Orwell Bridge between junction 56 and 57 which he said had “drastically reduced” the number of collisions in that area.

“A couple, three or four minutes extra in a journey time without being delayed is surely worth considering,” he said.

Pic: Mapillary

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