Temporary traffic management for Suffolk Highways roadworks

An emergency road closure was installed on 23 January 2024 until further notice. 

28 March 2024 update: Investigations have now concluded, and repair solutions have been proposed. To allow The Street in Aldham to be reopened, a retaining structure will be installed to support the brook and embankment. The team will obtain the necessary approvals and create a work programme with the agreed solution.

Whilst a specific start date for the work cannot yet be confirmed we are working towards an on-site start in June with an expected 6-week construction programme. Therefore, we are anticipating that the repairs will be complete, and the road can be reopened by the end of July 2024. Please note that this is a target completion date and is dependent upon operational progress and weather conditions.

Further updates will be issued as soon as a start date has been confirmed. 

Thank you for your continued patience during the closure.

A road closure has been installed along U8036 Lavenham Road, Thorpe Morieux from Hill Green to Cockfield Road due to carriageway deterioration following badger activity. We are working with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to find a solution that will allow the road to be reopened safely whilst also protecting the badgers. We aim to repair and reopen the road in July 2024. 

We are aiming to sweep the road, enabling the closed lane of the carriageway to reopen, as soon as is practicable to do so, although recent rainfall has resulted in further flooding and prevented our planned sweeping works for week commencing 19 February. 

The Highway Assessment Engineer will visits the site to identify opportunities for additional works that can be undertaken at this location whilst the road closure for drainage works is in place to help avoid further closures and minimise disruption to road users. We are already aware of two potholes in the area, as well as some nearside VRS replacement required and will ensure these repairs are carried out at the same time.

Further updates will be provided in due course. 

Update 26 April 2024: A road closure will be in place on Saturday 27 April and Sunday 28 April to complete drilling, which will allow the teams to determine the length of sheet piling required, ahead of further repairs to stabilise the bank at a later date.

The road closure will be in place between 8.30am and 5pm each day but it is our aim to reopen the road as soon as possible on Sunday. Access and egress will be managed at all times. However, there may be times when the diversion route must be followed, depending on the ongoing operation at the time.

The road will be closed between the junctions with Bellwell Lane to Derry Brook Lane. Traffic will be diverted B1077, A1120, A140, B1117, B1077 and vice versa.

The weight restriction on B1117 and B1077 through Eye to be lifted for the duration of works.

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Temporary traffic signals have been in place along Aspall Road, Debenham, since October 2023 during Storm Babet. This is due to safety concerns because of the embankment collapsing, and to avoid further damage, the traffic signals have been essential.

The embankment collapsed by 4-5m causing the road to be undermined. A repair solution has been agreed and will involve the installation of a retaining structure to support the carriageway and will be followed by the reconstruction of the carriageway. Whilst the traffic signals have been in place, the location has been subject to ongoing investigations, as well as the necessary design work.

Prior to the work commencing, Suffolk Highways will need to obtain several consents but once these have been granted, a 6-week construction programme has been proposed and it is Suffolk Highways’ aim to commence on 1 July 2024. Therefore, it is anticipated that the repairs will be complete, and the traffic signals can be removed early August. Please note that this is a target completion date and is dependent upon road space approval, operational progress and weather conditions.

For the duration of the embankment repairs, a road closure will be required. Further details will be issued here in due course.

Barriers are on site to protect the embankment and footway support which has failed adjacent to the watercourse.

Fen Road traffic is being temporarily controlled whilst the implementation of a temporary speed limit is considered until investigations and repairs can take place. This has been a long-term issue where the carriageway is deforming and reoccurs periodically.

Update 19 April 2024: A topographical survey has now been carried out to enable the design of the gabion basket wall to be finalised. Suffolk Highways continues to work with partners on the final details of the scheme to ensure that the works provide value for money for Suffolk taxpayers whilst enabling disruption to highway users to be minimised. At present, we are aiming for repairs to commence during May, and we will provide further updates once a start date has been confirmed. Suffolk Highways would like to thank the local community for its patience in the meantime and offer reassurance that this scheme remains a priority for us.

Update 1 March 2024: Early next week, teams will carry out a topographical survey, as well as taking soil samples – which will be used to understand and develop a ‘gabion basket wall’ installation similar to that installed previously at an adjacent section of the road. Following the work planned next week, we will design and plan the scheme which is anticipated to begin April 2024.The exact start date is still to be confirmed, updates will be provided as soon as a date has been agreed.

Update 23 February 2024: B1079 Otley Bottom has been inspected following safety concerns of the flooding potentially undermining the road. It has been agreed that the road can be re-opened today as per the prior temporary traffic management set up, of 3-way traffic lights. Before the road can be re-opened, the road will be swept, and any large amounts of standing water will be cleared.

Additional warning signs will also be installed further along the road where the flooding caused some of the embankment to be washed away.

We will continue to monitor the location and work on repairing the road as a priority.

Update 22 February 2024: due to further deterioration of the road, an emergency road closure has been installed until further notice.