HGV overtaking ban is proposed

The UK is expected to see a massive growth in imports

Plans are being considered for an HGV overtaking ban on part of one of the country's busiest roads.

The ban on a stretch of the A14 would be introduced in 2007 to cut congestion between the M6/M11 at Catthorpe and junction 1 near Welford, Northants.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) - which has dubbed the A14 as the "road from hell" - said the ban would be "a counter-productive short-term tool".

The region is expected to see a massive freight increase to Felixstowe port.

The UK expects massive growth in imports over the next 10 years which will impact on the route.

Treating them as second class vehicles is an absolute disgrace FTA Stephan Kelly

Felixstowe, which is already the UK's largest container port, is expected to absorb a lot of this growth.

The Freight Transport Association said the road was built to accommodate freight transport and it should, instead, be widened to increase capacity.

FTA's Head of Policy for the Midlands, Stephen Kelly, said: "A principal function of the A14 is to allow the flow of HGVs from Europe to travel to the Midlands and beyond.

"It was actually built for lorries, and banning them from overtaking and treating them as second class vehicles is an absolute disgrace."

A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said: "The proposals are at a very early stage and are just one option being considered by the Highways Agency to reduce congestion on this busy stretch of the A14."

A lorry overtaking ban is currently on trial on the M42.