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Drivers to face 43-mile diversion on rural road

Alex Pope
BBC News, Suffolk
Clerk of Gt and Lt Whelnetham Parish Council The A134 with metal fencing to the right, showing a housing estate being built, and cars driving along the road on the left. There are about four cars on the road, including one lorry. Clerk of Gt and Lt Whelnetham Parish Council
Roadworks along the A134 Sicklesmere Road, just outside of Bury St Edmunds will begin on Monday, 17 February

A 43.5-mile (70km) official diversion route on a rural road where a new housing estate is being built has been criticised.

Peter Royce, chairman of Great and Little Whelnetham Parish Council in Suffolk said weekend closures on the A134 Sicklesmere Road, just outside Bury St Edmunds, could add 90 minutes to journeys.

Abbots Vale developers Hopkins Homes said it had listened to feedback and that Rushbrooke Lane and Low Green would reopen for local residents.

Work starts on the road on 17 February, with full closures in place during eight weekends from 21 February to 5 May.

Hopkins Homes insisted road closures were needed to "improve traffic flow" and avoid rat-runs.

The company said traffic plans had been updated following feedback: "Rushbrooke Lane and Low Green will both now become 'no through roads' and therefore only accessible to residents."

Rushbrooke Lane will be closed from the junction of North Hill and only accessible from Rougham Hill.

Low Green will be closed at the junction with the A134 and only accessible from Nowton Road.

Clerk of Gt and Lt Whelnetham Parish Council The A134 with one car on it in the very far distance, but a long row of metal fencing, showing a housing estate being built. There are two lanes of the road, and a large blue sky, with street lights down one side. Clerk of Gt and Lt Whelnetham Parish Council
Abbots Vale, off Rushmore Lane, is expected to be completed by Spring 2025

Mr Royce said: "We've got the potential for a three-hour, 90-mile diversion route that is going to cost them an arm and a leg in comparison to the short journey that they did before."

He is also concerned smaller, more minor routes could be "destroyed" if they are used as alternative routes.

A spokesperson for Hopkins Homes said: "We understand these essential roadworks will cause some disruption, and we are committed to working closely with Suffolk Highways to minimise this as much as possible.

"We will closely monitor the impact of these changes from the start of the works."

During the week, from 17 February, Sicklesmere Road will remain open, but temporary traffic lights will be in operation.

Rushbrooke Lane and Low Green will be closed at their southern ends, accessible to two-way traffic from the north only.

The A134 is due to be closed from 20:00 GMT until 05:00 on various weekends between 21 February and 5 May.

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