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Public consultation launched over proposal to restrict lorries in Eye town centre

A public consultation is underway over a proposal to limit the number of lorries in Eye town centre
Published: 19 May 2023

Members of the public can have their say on a Suffolk County Council proposal to restrict lorries travelling into Eye town centre.

The move comes following cases of HGVs striking buildings and mounting pavements to negotiate their way through the town.

The council is proposing to introduce an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order that would allow HGVs to only travel into the town centre to service shops and businesses.

Agricultural vehicles would be excluded from the restrictions.

Otherwise, through traffic would be subject to a 7.5 tonne weight limit in the following areas:

  • Magdalen Street (B1117) – starting 55m west of the junction with Broad Street and Castle Street, and heading east to the junction with Broad Street and Castle Street
  • Lowgate Street (B1077) - From the junction with Castle St to just south of the junction with the Rookery
  • Castle Street (B1077) - From the junction with Magdalen Road and Broad Street, along Castle St into Hoxne Road to a point just east of the junction with Church Street
  • The Rookery - From its junction with Lowgate Street to its junction with Castle St

The public consultation started on Tuesday May 16 and will last for an initial six months, with the possibility of a further six months dependant on feedback and traffic data obtained from the council’s monitoring plan.

Councillor Richard Smith, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Transport Strategy and Waste, said: “We are keen to hear the views of the public to help us develop this scheme.

“It seeks to tackle the problem of lorries striking buildings and mounting pavements to negotiate the narrow streets of Eye, an issue which affects quality of life for the public and is also a problem for the lorries.

“Lorries serve an important function and we rely on the goods they bring, but we can divert from the town centre those that don’t need to be there.”

Views can be made online or emailing lorry.routes@suffolk.gov.uk

Anyone with questions can contact Suffolk County Council customer services at customer.services@suffolk.gov.uk or by calling 0345 603 1842.