A14 J55 Copdock Interchange
Introduction
Highways England is developing the planning and design of improvements for the A14 J55 Copdock Interchange. This is a briefing note to provide background to the project, details about the planning process and how we are engaging key stakeholders and the local community.
Location
A14 Junction 55 a traffic light controlled, grade-separated junction, with the A14 running underneath the junction. The four-arm roundabout, locally known as the Copdock Interchange, forms the junction between the A14, A12 and A1214 and is located to the south-west of Ipswich, within Suffolk.
Project information
The A14 J55 Copdock Interchange is one of a number of schemes being developed by Highways England as part of our pipeline of future projects across the country to continue to create better and safer journeys on our motorways and major A roads. The work we are doing now will help us provide a range of options to help support the Department for Transport in making decisions on which schemes can be delivered as part of the next Road Investment Strategy (2025-30).
The scheme development is being funded as part of a government programme set up in 2019 to improve port resilience and connectivity for a specific set of circumstances related to EU Exit and future trade – to the benefit of the country as a whole.
The improvements proposed at the A14 Junction 55, Copdock Interchange will improve journeys along the A12 and A14 corridors as well as boost economic growth and development opportunities within the Ipswich area, including at the Port of Felixstowe.
The aim of the scheme is to improve capacity, safety and connectivity, reduce congestion, and increase resilience. By making these improvements, the junction will be able to support the expected economic growth of the region.
We are currently at Stage 1 of the project which is being delivered via Highways England’s Project Control Framework. Stage 1 is options identification in which different options are assessed to create a shortlist of possible solutions, a number of which we will take to formal consultation.
Engagement and consultation
For the A14 J55 Copdock Interchange project, we have established two Stakeholder Reference Groups to share information and gather useful feedback.
We have so far held three rounds of meetings in July 2020, November 2020 and March 2021.
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The first meeting was for community and environment stakeholders and consisted of local councillors and portfolio holders, relevant officers, walking, cycling and horse-riding groups and environment groups.
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The second was for trade and economic development stakeholders and consisted of relevant portfolio holders, council officers, representatives for the Port of Felixstowe and Suffolk chamber of commerce.
These meetings support the development of options and encourage full and active participation in the process in the lead up to an options consultation, currently scheduled for late 2021.
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Background to the project
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Current issues and concerns at the junction
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Possible approaches to the problems
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The Highways England Project Control Framework process
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Traffic modelling
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Environmental surveys
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Walking, cycling and horse-riding in the scheme area
We will continue to update you with our progress at key points during this project. In the meantime, should have any questions please contact us via A14J55copdock@highwaysengland.co.uk.
James Ballantyne – Project Manager, The A14 J55 Copdock Interchange Project Team