David Ruffley MP has welcomed news from the Highways Agency that the new dual carriageway on the A14 Haughley New Street to Stowmarket Improvement will be fully open to traffic in both directions from Monday 1 September. The finishing touches to the £32 million scheme are due to be completed by the end of 2008.

David demanded quarterly updates throughout the project from the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency following the Agency's poor management of the A14 Rookery Crossroads scheme which arrived six months late and £2million over budget. David was determined to see better management of the Haughley New Street to Stowmarket improvements to Suffolk's major trunk road.

David said: 'I am delighted that the new carriageway is opening on schedule and on budget. It will make an enormous difference to my constituents, especially residents of Stowmarket and the surrounding villages who have had to put up with disruption for so long.

'The quarterly updates I received enabled me to keep an eye on the Highways Agency's management of the project. If there had been any slippage in timescale or budget I would have been demanding explanations from the chief executive. It is satisfying to know that on this occasion my intervention was not necessary and no additional taxpayers' money was required.

'I am looking forward to a smoother journey through my constituency.'