A 20-mile stretch of the A14 will be closed next month as work gets underway to resurface the road. 

National Highways, which maintains the country's road network, announced its plans for the roadworks last year. 

The A14 between junction 47a for Haughley and junction 49 at Tothill, outside Stowmarket, will be upgraded as part of the works.

However, National Highways has confirmed the road between junctions 43 and 51 from Bury St Edmunds to Needham Market – almost 20 miles in distance – will be closed for up to two weeks to construct a contraflow. The full road closures will take place overnight when there is less traffic. Diversions will be in place.

The A14 will only be closed in one direction at a time.

A statement on National Highways' website said: "Our repairs will help improve the safety of the road surface, but it will also provide a smoother and quieter journey for road users. 

"Rather than repairing the potholes and cracking, the whole carriageway will be reconstructed and re-laid to ensure a smoother and safer ride.

"Once complete, we expect the life of the road surface to be extended by up to 40 more years, with fewer future closures for maintenance repairs, meaning more reliable journeys for road users."

A date for the roadworks to start next month is yet to be confirmed. 

A diversion route will be in place which is as follows:

For eastbound traffic exit the A14 at junction 43 and take the A143 towards Diss and then the A140 towards Ipswich to re-join the A14 at junction 51. 

For westbound traffic it is the reverse of the eastbound diversion. 

The diversion is expected to add on around 40 minutes to people's journeys.