A14 Cambridge to Newmarket maintenance

Latest updates

• 19 March 2024

  A14 junction 35 to 36 resurfacing

  We're doing maintenance and improvement work on the A14 between junction 35 (Stow Cum Quy) and junction 36 (Nine Mile Hill).

  The work includes resurfacing, refreshing the painted road markings, road studs (cat's eyes) and other signs.

  We started work on Monday 19 February 2024, and will be working for approximately 5 months mainly on weeknights but with some Saturday nights. We'll be working overnight between 8pm to either 5am or 6am, weather permitting.

  Closures and diversions

  To carry out the work safely, we will need to close the A14 between either junction 33 or 35 (dependent on where we are diverting traffic) on the following dates:

  Phase 2 - Monday 18 March to end of April weeknights (8pm to 6am)

  Eastbound closure between junction 33 (Milton Interchange) and junction 36 (A11 / A14 merge) 

  Traffic will be diverted off the A14 at junction 33 onto the A10 to Ely and A142 to re-join the A14 at junction 37. 

  A14 Eastbound diversion (Ely):

  Phase 3 – Late April to Tuesday 7 May weeknights (8pm to 6am), including Saturday nights. 

  Westbound closure between junction 37 (A11/A14 merge) and 35 (Stow Cum Quy) -

  Traffic will be diverted via the A142 to Ely and A10 to re-join the A14 at junction 33 (Milton Interchange). 

  A14 Westbound diversion:

  Westbound closure between junction 36 (A11/A14 merge) and 35 (Stow Cum Quy). 

  Traffic will be diverted onto the A11, A505 and M11 northbound or the M11 southbound and continue their journey. (A14 Westbound diversion)

• 18 March 2024

  Lane closure on A14 westbound tonight at junction 37

  Drivers are being informed of a lane closure on the westbound A14 planned tonight junction 37 near Newmarket. 

  The outside lane will be closed tonight on the westbound A14 at junction 37 (9pm to 5am).

  Lanes 2 and 3 eastbound remain open, however the lane 1 eastbound remains closed for the time being.  

  A speed limit restriction of 40 mph is in effect, for safety reasons. Speeds through the lane restriction will be monitored, and action will be taken for non-compliance with the speed limit. 

  We've been working around the clock on the eastbound A14 between junction 37 (Newmarket) and junction 38 (Red Lodge) for more than three weeks.  
   
  While the repair of the flooding is still ongoing, the teams are committed to resolving the issue promptly, working around the clock. 

  This new lane closure will allow essential work within the central reservation, specifically to conduct inspections and CCTV surveys of the drainage system. This system, which includes crucial manholes, directly impacts the flooding issues in the area.  

  While investigations are ongoing, preliminary assessments suggest groundwater as the likely culprit. Collaboration with water authorities and environmental agencies supports this hypothesis, with tests indicating elevated levels of chalk, indicative of high groundwater levels.

• 13 March 2024

  A14 entry slip road at Junction 37 closed tonight near Newmarket   

  We will need to close the entry slip road on the A14 eastbound tonight at junction 37 near Newmarket, while emergency pumping work continues on the flood water. 

  We have been working around the clock on the eastbound A14 between junction 37 (Newmarket) and junction 38 (Red Lodge) for more than two weeks. Our teams are making every effort to clear the flooding caused by high groundwater levels.  

  The A14 entry slip road at junction 37 will have an emergency closure tonight so that we can continue this flood pumping and to do surveys to help identify any further steps we can take to stop the current flooding.

  A speed limit restriction of 40 mph is in place for safety reasons. Speeds through the lane restriction will be monitored, and action will be taken for non-compliance with the speed limit. 

  We are working with partners, including the Environment Agency, to resolve the issue. Our team continues to use a high-volume pump to extract water to ensure that the road remains clear of any flooding and to allow two lanes of the road to be kept open (with one lane closed for the time being whilst the pump is in action).  

  Please note that this emergency flood work is separate to our planned maintenance work on A14 between Cambridge junction 35 to Newmarket (junction 36).

• 11 March 2024

  A14 Eastbound has one lane closed between junction 37 (Newmarket) and junction 38 (Red Lodge)

  Drivers are advised that lane one remains closed on the A14 eastbound near Newmarket while emergency pumping work continues.

  We have been working around the clock on the eastbound A14 between junction 37 (Newmarket) and junction 38 (Red Lodge). Out teams are making every effort to clear the flooding caused by high groundwater levels.

  Over 12 million litres of water have been extracted already and work continues now to remove water using a high volume pump which is 2.5km long.

  Following the full closure last Thursday night and the reopening of lanes one and two early on Friday morning, a temporary 40 mph speed limit is in effect.

  Drivers should allow extra time for their journeys on the A14, or choose an alternative route if possible.

  

  We are working with partners, including the Environment Agency. The source of the flooding is believed to due to high water levels in the area, so it could be some time before the water level drops.

  The Environment Agency has advised us that, following the exceptional rainfall in the area over the last few months, the ground is very saturated and groundwater levels are high. They currently have a groundwater flood alert in force for areas of Newmarket.

  The team took advantage of the lane 1 closure last week to pick up litter.

  

• 04 March 2024

  Reduced lanes on A14 junction 37 to 38 eastbound for emergency work

  Drivers are being advised to find alternative routes due to flooding on the eastbound A14 near Newmarket.

  Two lanes remain closed on the A14 Eastbound between junction 37 (Newmarket) and junction 38 (Red Lodge) whilst our emergency team continues to pump out the floodwater. There are delays of 30 minutes or more, with 3 miles of congestion.  

  As of today, the team has estimated they've pumped out over 8 million litres of water, roughly equivalent to almost three Olympic-size swimming pools. Throughout the weekend, millions of litres have been removed.

  The team is assessing potential damage to the carriageway caused by the flooding and the possibility of installing a contraflow to maintain smooth traffic flow.

  Excessively high ground water levels which are not naturally draining away, combined with the recent heavy rain, have contributed to a challenging situation. 

  We are continuing our investigative work with The Environment Agency and others.

  We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

  Please note that this emergency flood work is separate to our planned maintenance work on A14 between Cambridge junction 35 to Newmarket (junction 36).

• 29 February 2024

  Emergency lane closures on A14 junction 37 at Newmarket, and junction 39 at Kentford.

  Emergency lane closures are currently in place due to flooding on A14. The A14 eastbound between junction 37 near Newmarket, and junction 39 near Kentford is closed except for lane 3.

  The westbound carriageway has one lane closed between junction 37 and junction 38 with sandbags on the road.

  Our team has been at the scene since last week trying to clear the road of flood water.

  We have worked hard to get one land eastbound reopened. With the forecast of more heavy rain coming, we may have to close it again at short notice. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. 

  We are continuing to work with Anglian Water to find the source of the flooding which is also affecting other roads in the area as part of a widespread issue.

  Until these investigations have been done, we are unable to confirm when the road will return to normal.

  We appreciate that this is a very busy stretch of road and we are currently working 24 hours a day to find the problem.

  We advise drivers to plan ahead if they are travelling on the A14, with delays of up to 90 minutes.

  An official diversion has been put in place with drivers told to exit the A14 eastbound at junction 37 and join the A142 into Newmarket.

  At the clock tower, turn left and follow the A1304 to the junction with the B1506.

  At the junction, turn right and follow the B1506 through Kentford to re-join the A14 eastbound at J39 at Kentford.

  Please note that this emergency flood work is separate to our planned maintenance work on A14 between Cambridge junction 35 to Newmarket (junction 36).

• 17 January 2024

  Come meet the team

  We'll be attending the Newmarket Saturday Market on Saturday 3 February 2024 from 9am to 2pm.

  Come down and meet our team and to ask about our work in the local area.

• 15 December 2023

  Maintenance between junctions 35 (Stow Cum Quy) and 36 (Nine Mile Hill)

  The A14 has deteriorated between Cambridge junctions 35 (Stow Cum Quy) and Newmarket junction 36 (Nine Mile Hill).

  We will be resurfacing this section in both directions from mid-February 2024 for approximately 5 months.

  Please re-visit this page for further updates in early 2024.