A14 flood ‘could fill three Olympic swimming pools’

Enough water to fill three Olympic-sized swimming pools has been removed from the flooded eastbound A14 carriageway near Newmarket – but no end is in sight for the problem.

Two out of three lanes remain closed on the eastbound A14 between junction 37 (Newmarket) and junction 38 (Red Lodge), in spite of National Highways continually working at the scene since February 22.

Drivers are being advised to find alternative routes and to avoid the area. More than eight million litres of water has been extracted, equivalent to three Olympic swimming pools.

Martin Fellows, regional director of National Highways said: “We apologise for the inconvenience caused to driver and local communities. The team is making every effort to remove the standing water in all lanes. This flooding issue is now a regional priority, and we are seeking assistance from all parties.”

With the source of the flooding believed to be from high water levels in the area, it could be some time before the water recedes and National Highways is urging drivers to avoid the area if possible.

The National Highways team is assessing potential damages to the carriageway caused by the flooding and exploring the possibility of installing a contraflow to maintain smooth traffic flow.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We are currently working with partners at National Highways around the flooding issues on the A14 at Newmarket.

“Following the exceptional rainfall in the area over the last few months, the ground is very saturated and groundwater levels are high.

“We currently have a groundwater flood alert in force for areas of Newmarket, see Flood alert for Groundwater flooding in Newmarket - GOV.UK (check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk) for more information.”

Further information is available from National Highways by visiting trafficengland.com