Scheme to improve the A14 is confirmed

Improvements to the A14 have been confirmed by the government in the Autumn Statement.

Chancellor George Osborne said the upgrade to the Kettering bypass, part of the A14, will go ahead.

Around £113.4m is being spent on the A14 improvements including road widening and safety measures.

A further £20m is to be spent on the stretch between Cambridge and Huntingdon, in particular the Spittals and Girton Interchanges

The pledge has been welcomed by councils in Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire.

Northamptonshire County Council representatives were due to meet government representatives to discuss the details.

Council leader Jim Harker said: "We've long pushed for further investment in the A14 as it is one of the most important east-west trade routes in the country and critically important for the Northamptonshire economy.

"The A14 is at or near its capacity for long stretches and its resilience is poor with any incidents impacting on the route and local road network."