The southern section from the junction with the A14 to Scole once formed part of Suffolk's first turnpike trust in which ran from Ipswich to Scole (and also from Claydon to Stowmarket and Haughley). The trust was either established in 1741[3] (or in 1711[4]). A turnpike trust was established from Scole Bridge to Norwich by act of parliament much later in 1826.[5] Most turnpikes in Suffolk were removed in the 1870s. The 1826 Act was not however officially repealed until 2008 by the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2008.[6]
In 1986 the government's Roads for ProsperityWhite Paper proposed the dualling of the entire Suffolk stretch of the A140 from its junction with the A14 (then the A45) and Scole. This proposal was never pursued.
Between 1997 and 2003 (78 months) there were 9 fatalities, 36 serious and 147 slight injuries on the road and as a result in 2004 a temporary 50 mph speed limit was introduced on the Suffolk section and permanent 30 mph through the villages of Earl Stonham and Brockford and 40 mph through Brome. The 30 mph zones had 40 mph 'buffers' either side.[7][8] Between 2006 and 2008 Suffolk County Council removed a number of 40 mph buffers to "improve compliance and understanding" and extended some 30 mph zones slightly at the same time.[9]
In February 2016, Nicholas Churchill, a disgruntled middle aged construction worker stole his employer's mining truck and drove for about 50 km on this highway and other roads. During this time, he drove into various structures and police vehicles. He finally stopped the truck in Brandon where he was arrested.[10]
Proposed developments
Long Stratton bypass
A long-standing development proposal for the A140 is a bypass for the village of Long Stratton. In 2002 Norfolk County Council held a public consultation which resulted in a preferred route being selected in 2003, which bypassed to the east of the village. A planning application for the scheme was submitted in 2004 and the application was approved in February 2005.[11] However, changes in the way road schemes are funded meant that no central government funding was approved. Since then Norfolk County Council has been unable to secure further funding for the scheme.[12]