Announced by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, the scheme will bring extra capacity and a new bypass of Huntingdon to the route between Cambridge and Huntingdon, with main construction work to start in late 2016.

The new route will open to traffic in 2020, although some finishing work such as the removal of the A14 viaduct in Huntingdon will continue beyond that with occasional road closures.

Chris Taylor, director for Complex Infrastructure at Highways England, leading the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme, said: “This is great news for everyone who uses the A14 through Cambridgeshire, from local residents and businesses to national and international haulage companies. The scheme will provide much needed additional capacity to improve journey times and safety.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has taken the time to give their views. All the input received has helped us shape the scheme.

“We are keen to keep the momentum going and will get preparations for construction underway as soon as possible after the end of the six-week statutory challenge period.”

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) greeted the news.

Malcolm Bingham, FTA’s head of road network management policy, said: “FTA welcomes this decision and now looks for an early start to the sets of works and a system that will inform freight operators and motorists about disruptions that could be caused. Reliable and timely information will give freight operators the chance to better plan their journeys while the construction is taking place.”