Residents outraged as Suffolk Highways and Hopkins Homes skip meeting about A134 Sicklesmere Road closures.
The A134 will shut for eight weekends, starting tomorrow at 8 pm. Residents worried about the 43-mile detour, and they came from nearby villages. These included Great and Little Whelnetham, Stanningfield, Hawstead, and Rougham.
John Clements canceled the council’s attendance, citing safety concerns about the hall due to a lack of space and parking. One resident, Catherine, worried about emergencies, made more anxious by a recent one. She fears delays for emergency services and feels the situation is appalling. Ambulances are already stuck at lights.
She’s disgusted that no one showed up and thinks they simply do not care. Mr. Clements said an online meeting is planned with Hopkins Homes. They want everyone informed and will allow more people to participate. He apologized for the short notice.
Hopkins Homes did not confirm attendance earlier, nor explain their absence. Health concerns also came up at the meeting. Elderly residents need carers for basic tasks, and closures could strand them alone. One man fears an elderly woman being stuck.
She relies on carers multiple times a day, and closures will stop her care access. He thinks the road needs to stay open and finds their absence incredibly disgusting.
Peter Prinsley MP wrote to the highways, seeking clarity on some key issues. An online petition wants to stop the work. The MP wants details on emergency vehicle access, and other options. He also wants info on resident updates.
He said delays for emergency vehicles are not okay. An MP’s representative criticized the poor communication from both Hopkins Homes and highways. Richard Hill said the closures hurt businesses.
He mentioned Mark Proctor’s bakery, The Friendly Loaf. It will be difficult for Mark as vehicles cannot likely reach him. Customers will struggle to get there, and people want to support The Friendly Loaf now. They kept everyone going during lockdown.
Karen Soons urged everyone to report issues online. She said to report things through the right channels, like damaged verges. This reporting acts as documentation. Great and Little Whelnetham will draft a letter.
The letter is for Suffolk Highways and Terra Firma. Terra Firma owns Hopkins Homes. Elaine Gorman hopes the letter will be stronger and combine all the views. That might prompt action.
Residents wanted to share their views, free from politics too. Peter Royce felt it was disappointing. He wanted representatives to confront people, who have the maximum inconvenience.
Henry Brewis felt the plan was poorly planned. He’s amazed at Suffolk Highways allowing it. He thinks work should be faster, and closures should halt for a new better plan. John West felt a lack of respect.
The lack of respect is for all communities due to poor communication. Victor Lampart worries about added pollution when lorries use the 43-mile detour and feels it is all very disgusting. Hopkins Homes did not respond to the comments.