The notorious Copdock Mill roundabout should be replaced by a new junction between the A14 and A12 – and drivers should be able to use a dual carriageway all the way from east Suffolk to Stansted Airport via Braintree. But they will have to wait at least 10 years.

East Anglian Daily Times: The A12 junction with the A1214 at Martlesham is where improvements will begin, following the announcement in the Budget 2020. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNThe A12 junction with the A1214 at Martlesham is where improvements will begin, following the announcement in the Budget 2020. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN

The two projects have been included in Highways England's new document looking ahead at the road improvements it wants to make - but work will not start for at least five years.

They are included in a list of projects that will be developed over the next five years of its Road Improvement Strategy (RIS2) and will be built during the following five years.

South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge welcomed the news about Copdock, which is in his constituency: 'This is what we were looking for. There is no final commitment, but all major projects start at this stage - and major road developments do take many years to bring through.'

Suffolk Coastal MP and cabinet minister Dr Therese Coffey added: 'This is great news for our part of Suffolk. All seven Suffolk MPs pressed the case on improvements on the Copdock Roundabout. This announcement shows that our collective lobbying on behalf of residents has paid off.

East Anglian Daily Times: Suffolk County Council leader Matthew Hicks said he was encouraged that work could begin on A12 improvements. Picture: GREGG BROWNSuffolk County Council leader Matthew Hicks said he was encouraged that work could begin on A12 improvements. Picture: GREGG BROWN

'Thanks too to the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce for all they have done to highlight the problem.'

Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Dr Dan Poulter said he understood the Prime Minister had taken a personal interest in the A14 after its problems were raised by us during a visit to Suffolk during the general election campaign.

Mark Pendlington, who led Suffolk Chamber's campaign, said: 'Our popular campaign to upgrade the local stretch of Britain's Premier Trade Route has been aimed at allowing the county to make an even greater contribution to national and regional prosperity.

'We are, therefore, pleased that there is a commitment to look at the detailed development of Copdock as part of the RIS3 pipeline. However, we will continue to press for improvements to all of the pinch points along the A14 in Suffolk, to ensure that our county benefits as much as other regions included in today's Budget.'

East Anglian Daily Times: The portion of A12 between the Seckford roundabout and the Dobbies roundabout could be dualled after the DfT gave backing for a strategic outline business case to begin. Picture: GOOGLE MAPSThe portion of A12 between the Seckford roundabout and the Dobbies roundabout could be dualled after the DfT gave backing for a strategic outline business case to begin. Picture: GOOGLE MAPS (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

Meanwhile Essex County Council has been pressing for the upgrade of the A120 from Rivenhall to Braintree to provide a through dual carriageway from the A12 to Stansted Airport - and that should now also be completed between 2025 and 2030.

East Anglian Daily Times: Councillor Robert Whiting said he hoped the business case for the Martlesham improvements would lead to future funding for the necessary improvements. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNCouncillor Robert Whiting said he hoped the business case for the Martlesham improvements would lead to future funding for the necessary improvements. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: The Seven Hills Interchange on the A12 Picture: GOOGLE MAPSThe Seven Hills Interchange on the A12 Picture: GOOGLE MAPS (Image: Archant)