David Ruffley MP has today written to Archie Robinson, Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, regarding the state of the A14 at the former Rookery Crossroads site where the road appears to be sinking.

The Rookery Crossroads improvements were delivered six months late and £2million over budget. This is the second time since the completion of the scheme that the road has had to be repaired in the same location.

Expert advice taken by David suggests 'inadequate compaction' and 'differential settlement' is to blame. It is possible to travel along an underpass beneath the A14 at the former Rookery Crossroads site and it has been suggested that the differing levels of support beneath the road and compaction of the road surface has caused the section of the A14 above the bridleway to sink.

David said:

'Having consulted experts on the matter, I have been advised that 'inadequate compaction' and 'differential settlement' may be to blame for the problems we are seeing on the A14 at the former Rookery Crossroads. Put simply, this means the section of the A14 above the bridleway under the road is not as well constructed as it should be, and is sinking, while the surrounding road remains at the same level.

'Quite frankly it is disgraceful that an improvements scheme that was delivered 6 months late and £2million over budget is still causing us problems over two years after it was completed. This is the second time the road has needed repairs in the same area for seemingly the same reason.

'Therefore, I have today written to Archie Robinson, Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, asking whether this flaw in the A14 is a result of an error by the engineers or the contractors who built the road. It would seem someone is at fault and they should be held to account. In addition I have asked the Chief Executive to give me a detailed breakdown of the costs of repairing this section of the A14 since the completion of the Rookery Crossroads improvements.'