RESIDENTS are delighted that part of a new safer stretch of the A14 was today open to motorists travelling out of Ipswich.

John Howard

RESIDENTS are delighted that part of a new safer stretch of the A14 has been opened to motorists travelling out of Ipswich.

The £32million project involves constructing a 2.3mile dual carriageway at Haughley Bends, where there have been a number of accidents.

A westbound section of the new road between Haughley Street and Stowmarket was in use to rush-hour traffic for the first time yesterday morning>.

John Prigg, who served Haughley as a parish councillor for years before stepping down recently, and who was among those campaigning for improvements to the road, welcomed the news.

He said: “This is most gratifying. We have been under duress here for weeks and weeks now. Now there is more freedom of movement locally villagers will be delighted that things are starting to come to a head.

“It's nothing but joy for villagers, as things get easier on that road. The sooner the project is fully completed the better.

“Locally we are very, very happy about this, I am sure I can speak for Haughley residents on this.”