'These new figures show an alarming increase in accidents on our county's main road.'

David Ruffley MP has today written to the Department for Transport and the Highways Agency highlighting the worrying increase in the rate of personal injury accidents on the A14.

In the light of two new sets of figures from Suffolk County Council and The Department for Transport David Ruffley is calling for the authorities to make every possible effort to improve road safety and promote safe driving in the winter months. David is also urging his constituents not to take risks and to display good sense on the County's roads over the busy Christmas period.

Suffolk County Council figures show that between January and September 2005 there have been 3 fatal accidents, 31 serious injuries and 135 slight injuries. In the same period of 2004 there were 2 fatal accidents, 13 serious injuries and 118 slight injuries.

New House of Commons figures revealed in David Ruffley's latest parliamentary question to Stephen Ladyman, Minister of State for the Department for Transport, showed an 11.7& increase in what the Government terms 'personal injury accidents' on the A14 between 2003 and 2004.

David said:

'I have always campaigned for heightened safety on the A14 and these figures from both the Department for Transport and Suffolk County Council show a worrying increase in accidents on our County's main road.

'I have written to the Department for Transport and the Highways Agency asking what reason can be given for this increase and exactly what they intend to do to address this worrying trend.

'With the busy Christmas period approaching I expect constant vigilance from the authorities and urge my constituents across Suffolk to display good sense and not to take any risks on our roads this winter."