Traffic Calming

Implementing and reviewing traffic calming measures, aimed at reducing vehicle speeds and volumes of traffic on roads in the county.

Suffolk County Council can introduce traffic calming measures, aimed at reducing vehicle speeds and/or volumes of traffic on most of the roads in the county. However we do not manage trunk roads.

Traffic management measures may include:

  • bollards;
  • chicanes (build outs);
  • coloured surfacing, etc.;
  • gateway/entrance treatments;
  • junction changes;
  • mini roundabouts
  • road humps/tables;
  • road signing and lining;
  • speed limits; and
  • traffic islands.

The decision on which of these could be introduced will be influenced by:

  • access for emergency services;
  • bus routes;
  • level on-street parking;
  • location of local schools;
  • proximity of industrial/business premises;
  • road junctions/private accesses; and
  • type of road (eg A, B, C or U class, distributor road, residential street, cul-de-sac)

Requests for any of these measures will be assessed to see whether they can help to achieve the objectives of the Local Transport Plan or where there is a safety problem which needs to be addressed.

To request road safety or traffic management measures please contact our Customer Service Centre. A traffic management engineer will assess your request.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I request speed humps to be placed in my street?

Speed humps can be provided as a traffic calming measure in order to reduce speed and increase safety for highway users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Priority will be given to areas where there have been a considerable number of road traffic incidents.

Where traffic management schemes are being considered, will residents be consulted?

We consult residents on the majority of traffic management schemes that we carry out, but minor works, such as simple road markings and traffic signs which do not affect residents are not consulted on.  Certain measures, such as yellow lines or "No Entry" signs require a Traffic Regulation Order(TRO) to be made under the Road Traffic Regulations 1984.

Can the traffic calming on my street be relocated or removed?

It is possible that alterations could be made to existing traffic calming measures if they cause a hazard to motorists or pedestrians. It is unlikely that major changes will be made to overcome local "inconvenience".