Lorry overtaking ban for A14

The Highways Agency is banning lorries from overtaking on a stretch of the A14 in Northamptonshire as part of an effort to reduce congestion.

The trial will run from 6am on Monday 2 April for 12 months, and outlaws any overtaking by vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on a two-mile section of the eastbound A14 between M1 J19 at Catthorpe and A14 J1 at Cold Ashby and a one-and-a-half mile stretch westbound between J2 Kelmarsh and J1.

The ban aims to reduce congestion and the risk of accidents caused by slow-moving vehicles on an uphill stretch of the road. It will only be enforced between 6am and 8pm.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "This stretch of the A14 gets congested with lorries going slowly up the hill, causing car drivers to get frustrated.

"Heavy vehicles slow down on the uphill slope and when they try to overtake each other, it can block the A14 and slow down the traffic for several miles. Drivers of vehicles caught up in the resulting queues become frustrated and that leads to an increased risk of accidents and further traffic delays.”

There's no information about how the ban will be enforced.

Do you agree with the ban? Have your say at MyAutocar.com.