David Ruffley MP has today slammed the Highways Agency over two major safety issues on the A14 in his constituency- the subsidence of the road near Rougham and standing water on stretches of the newly improved road at Haughley.

In October, David took the Highways Agency to task over the safety problems and demanded answers from the Chief Executive, Graham Dalton, on when they would be rectified.

David has now received a reply from the Highways Agency stating that a permanent solution still has not been found to the subsidence at Rougham. Furthermore, a letter from Suffolk Constabulary states that the flooding of the road along the new Haughley improvements is 'understood to be related to the improvement scheme'.

David said:

'This situation simply isn't good enough. The A14 is Suffolk's main arterial route and the Highways Agency is not taking it seriously. They need to get to grips with these major safety issues before lives are lost.

'A problem with the A14, at the site of the Rookery Crossroads improvements, was identified months ago. I first raised the issue of this dangerous subsidence with the Highways Agency in July and I still have not received a satisfactory explanation on the cause of the problem or, moreover, when it will be permanently repaired.

'The issue of aquaplaning along the new Haughley improvements is equally worrying. The Highways Agency does not seem to have a clear idea what the cause of the problem is. Simon Ash, Suffolk Constabulary's Chief Constable, has sent me the explanation his force received after they called for an investigation, which states the standing water 'is related to the improvement scheme'. However, the Highway's Agency's letter to me states that 'there is no fault in the design of the new road' and that the 'blocked manhole' that they believe to be responsible 'was not affected by the improvements'.

'This state of affairs is ridiculous. While the Highways Agency dithers over what the causes of these problems are, lives are being put at risk.'