National Highways has said it has a system in place for escorting abnormal loads when the A14 is closed after one struck a house while using a diversion route. 

A lorry hit and caused minor damage to a home in High Street in Sproughton while the westbound carriageway was closed during the early hours of Thursday morning. 

However, National Highways has said that a system is in place for abnormal loads to be escorted through the A14 closure so that they can avoid using the B1113 diversion route. 

National Highways project manager Kevin Barry said: "Unfortunately, on this occasion we were not informed of this load and were unable to arrange its safe passage.

"We understand and recognise how disruptive the diversion is to residents, and to avoid using the diversion route hauliers of abnormal loads should contact National Highways in advance to arrange escorted passage on the A14.

“Once our site team were made aware of the incident, they stopped work and reopened the A14 to traffic to assist police in clearing the vehicle from the High Street.”

David and Carol Cranwell, who live in the home, that was damaged said a crane that was being transported on a lorry hit their house and chipped the brickwork.

Essential works are being carried out on the A14 by National Highways with overnight closures expected until mid December.