The A14 has reopened after a "large" pothole on the westbound carriageway near Ipswich damaged three cars.

Traffic was held near the Whitehouse Interchange from just after 8.30am while emergency repairs are carried out.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: "A piece of the road surface was found to have broken away, leaving a large hole in the carriageway.

"Three vehicles were found to have sustained damage as a result of this."

There were four miles of congestion on approach to the closure.

The police spokesman added that the closure will remain in place until National Highways have made the road safe.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes but the spokesman has since confirmed that the road has reopened.

A spokesman for the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce said: "We have been saying for years that the A14 in Suffolk is in need of real upgrades, and to hear that the road surface is breaking up is not surprising given how many HGVs use this key route for freight and trade.

"With the Government announcing further funding for road maintenance and potholes in the latest budget, we would hope further funding can be given to National Highways to maintain this critical piece of infrastructure in the East.

"It also highlights the importance of upgrading our rail network to ensure more freight travels by train, reducing the strain on the road network.”

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