AN MP is demanding answers from road chiefs after water build-up was reported on the A14 yesterdaymorning.

Anthony Bond

AN MP is demanding answers from road chiefs after water build-up was reported on the A14 yesterdaymorning.

Suffolk police were called to the westbound carriageway shortly after 7am to a report of a large quantity of standing water close to Stowmarket.

The section of road affected was where the new �32 million Haughley stretch meets with the old road.

Problems with aquaplaning on the new stretch of road last year led Bury St Edmunds MP David Ruffley to write to the chief executive of the Highways Agency Graham Dalton.

In response Mr Dalton admitted there were some drainage problems and said routine maintenance work would be brought forward.

But following yesterday'sincident, Mr Ruffley said he would again be writing to Mr Dalton to demand answers.

“The improvements on this stretch of the A14 have cost millions of pounds to try and make motorists safer but this is the second example since the new road opened of very dangerous water build-up which could lead to serious accidents or fatalities,” he said.

“The Highways Agency gave me cast iron assurances that they would fix it and they have blatantly failed to do so. I am therefore writing a very strongly worded letter to the Highways Agency to find out what on earth is going on. Lives can be put at risk with dangerous water build-up.”

Suffolk police attended the scene of yesterday'sincident along with highways contractors who placed signage on the road warning motorists.

A Highways Agency spokesman said last night: “We will be looking into reports of water gathering on the A14 near Haughley.”