Data reveals traffic volume and speed on the A134 ahead of planned closures for roundabout construction.
They looked at traffic on Sicklesmere Road, also called the A134, where closures are planned soon. Data shows that a high volume of cars uses this road, with over 800,000 vehicles recorded since October. Around 16,000 vehicles use it on weekends, which is when the closures are planned.
The data was collected by a speed device located near the Rushbrooke Arms pub. The data revealed that cars were speeding, with some exceeding 100 mph. Hopkins Homes plans these weekend closures between February 17 and May 5, with the involvement of Suffolk County Council.
The closures are related to the construction of a roundabout as part of the Abbots Vale project, which includes a relief road to the A14. During the first week, traffic lights will be used. People traveling south of Bury are advised to take a detour, a 43-mile route from Long Melford.
Residents are concerned that drivers will use smaller roads like Rushbrooke Lane and Low Green as alternative routes. They are advocating for these roads to be closed to through traffic, allowing access only for residents. Their fear is that this will lead to increased congestion and road damage, as these roads are already in poor condition.
The Parish Council chairman expressed concern, calling the plan poorly designed. He highlights that traffic data shows heavy weekend traffic, around 16,000 vehicles on the A134. He believes planners are being unrealistic regarding the impact of the detour, noting it significantly increases travel time.
The detour adds over an hour to the trip, compared to the normal ten-minute journey. Residents are particularly worried about the impact on the minor roads. Data indicates many vehicles used the A134 between October and February, and the council believes the actual figure is even higher than recorded.
The chairman suggests an alternative approach: completing the relief road first, then diverting traffic onto it. He believes that the current plan focuses on building a “useless roundabout,” and he is worried about potential business losses in Bury and overall damage to the minor roads.
At a recent community meeting, residents formally requested the closure of Rushbrooke Lane and Low Green. Their worries center on increased traffic, particularly from larger trucks. They also voiced additional concerns about road damage and compromised emergency access. A county councilor present also voiced support for the road closures.
Concerns extend to Nowton Road, where residents report existing speeding issues. The Nowton Parish Council is requesting another meeting with the highways council to address these concerns. The highways council was not present at the previous meeting.
The Nowton council chairman questioned whether distributing traffic across multiple roads is a better solution than concentrating it. He anticipates further road damage and expresses concerns about the ability of fire and ambulance services to access the area. The council is also worried about the possibility of flooding on Nowton Road.
Hopkins Homes maintains that the road work is essential for improving traffic flow and safety in the long run. They acknowledge the potential disruptions caused by the closures and plan to provide regular updates through online channels and on-site signage. A dedicated helpline will also be available to answer any questions or address concerns.
To mitigate the impact of the closures, clear detour signs will be strategically placed to guide traffic. Efforts will also be made to discourage drivers from using unsuitable shortcuts. Drivers will be alerted to suboptimal routes through warning signs. Speed limits on narrow roads will be reduced, and workers will be stationed at key points to assist drivers. Traffic impacts will be actively monitored, and one-way systems or collaboration with the police may be considered as needed.