Overtaking ban for lorries on A14

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

12-month trial of daytime ban starts on April 2
Covers three-and-a-half miles of two-lane A14 road
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Lorries will be banned from overtaking on three-and-a-half miles of the A14 in Northamptonshire from this April.

The daytime ban will restrict any truck of 7.5 tonnes or more to the inside lane in a bid to improve traffic flow on long, uphill sections of the two-lane trunk road. The 12-month trial of the ban comes into force on April 2.

It applies on the eastbound A14 between junction 19 of the M1 at Catthorpe and J1 of the A14 at Cold Ashby. On the westbound A14, the restriction is in place between J1-2 at Kelmarsh.

Bob Gale of the Highways Agency said: 'Heavy vehicles slow down on the uphill section, and when they try to overtake each other, it can block the A14 and slow down traffic for several miles.

'Drivers of vehicles caught up in the resulting queues become frustrated, and that leads to an increased risk of accidents and further delays.'

The Highways Agency said it will monitor the scheme for 12 months to gauge its effectiveness. An existing trial overtaking ban already exists on the M42, and another is being considered on the A1.

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As well as the road's number, tell us between which two points and in which direction the ban should be in place, as well as why you think it should be introduced.