Suffolk County Council is to launch a trial scheme to remove vehicles that are blocking highways resurfacing work.
The move comes following repeated issues with vehicles across Suffolk that have been left in roads where works are scheduled, despite advance warnings they were due to take place.
This has led to the cancellation of entire resurfacing works or small areas being left where vehicle parking has prevented access for equipment.
Offending vehicles will be either moved to a safe place in line of sight from where they were parked, or to a secure compound in Bury St Edmunds.
Any vehicle which is moved to enable works to go ahead will be subject to a £70 Fixed Penalty Charge Notice, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
Vehicles taken to the secure compound, due to there not being a suitable location near the works area to move the vehicle to, will also be subject to additional fees to recover their vehicle.
The trial scheme will be introduced in March and will cover the Suffolk Highways resurfacing programme up to May 2026.
The first site where it will be used is scheduled to be in Allington Walk, Haverhill, where two days of works are due to start from Wednesday March 18.
Councillor Paul West, Suffolk County Council Cabinet member for Operational Highways, said: “Removal of vehicles will be a last resort but unfortunately there are occasions when it is necessary.
“Each time a resurfacing scheme has to be cancelled costs the Council Tax payer money, as well as the frustration of having to reschedule and notify residents again.
“Suffolk Highways is committed to maintaining the county’s roads and this scheme will help our workforce get on with the job.”
Each abortive visit where works are unable to take place costs in the region of £15,000.
This cost covers items such as wasted material, plant, labour and equipment hire. Abortive works also impacts future programmed work delivery.
Under the removal scheme, the process would see:
- A temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO) advertised six weeks before work starting
- Warning signs erected and letters delivered to nearby residents and businesses clearly detailing whether vehicle removal will be imposed 2 to 3 weeks prior to the works date.
- No parking cones placed in the road and any vehicles parked on the road at the time of visit will have information cards placed on the windscreen two days before works start
- On the day, a District Civil Enforcement Officer will issue PCNs, offending vehicles photographed then relocated safely with the police informed
- Offending vehicles will be either moved to a safe place in line of sight, or if this is not possible to the secure compound in Bury St Edmunds
- Contact numbers and references will be left on site for the owner to call to locate/collect vehicle
Councillor West said consideration would be given for blue-badge holders and vulnerable residents, and vehicles would be moved only to safe nearby locations or the secure compound.
“This is a measure about making sure the council does not have wasted costs through having to abort a scheme,” he said.
“The measure that will only be used when needed and I can assure the public that it will be implemented fairly.
“This is only being introduced for planned work that is notified in advance. It is not being used when potholes are filled on reactive call outs.”
