Road closure causes traffic gridlock near Bury St Edmunds due to detours. An ambulance was stuck, residents are worried.
Suffolk Highways made a 43-mile detour. Many drivers avoided it on Hawstead Lane, which caused heavy traffic on the narrow road. An ambulance got stuck in traffic there.
Laura Graham runs an animal rescue farm on Hawstead Lane. They need water for the animals, and the road closure makes getting water harder. She said the road was a nightmare, with people getting stuck on the road’s edges.
Residents are bothered by drivers using their driveways. The road sign is near Hawstead Lane, and people try to use it as a shortcut. Laura saw an ambulance get through, but she is scared about emergency access.
Rushbrooke Lane has “no through road” signs, but Hawstead Lane doesn’t have these signs. People argued in the road, Laura said, and kids near the farm heard them. Laura worries about accidents and hopes plans change, believing no one is listening.
Hopkins Homes said closures help with road work, and they thank the workers. The work will benefit Bury St Edmunds, and they want better traffic flow. They also want less congestion.
Hopkins Homes closes roads only when needed, aiming to balance work and limit trouble. They are talking with Suffolk Highways, as people have questions and concerns.
Weekend closures are from Friday 8 PM to Monday 5 AM. Dates include March 7-10, March 21-24, and March 28-31. Also, April 4-7, April 11-14, April 25-28, and May 2-5.
Peter Royce is a parish council chairman who thinks 4,000 cars used Hawstead Lane. He worries about damage to grass, as usually, few cars use that road. Cars are getting stuck often.
Cars damaged the grass trying to pass each other. Peter asks who will pay for the road repairs. Parish leaders meet with Hopkins Homes and Suffolk Highways to discuss concerns.
Residents worry about emergency services. Getting to nearby villages is harder. Villages include Great Whelnetham, Little Whelnetham, Stanningfield, Hawstead, and Rougham.
An MP wrote to the developers and Suffolk Highways, saying delays for emergency vehicles are bad. Hopkins Homes said emergency vehicles can use Low Green, managed by a gateman.
Despite this, an ambulance was stuck on the A134. The ambulance service works with authorities to reduce road closure problems and talks with Suffolk County Council.
Hopkins Homes said the ambulance service has not complained. They want to help emergency services and encourage safe driving. They want to minimize delays.
A councilor asked people to report problems online.