Flooding near Leiston leads to mocking road signs by campaigners

Tongue-in-cheek signs have appeared on a main road after regular flooding has caused disruption for motorists.

Campaigners have erected three signs along the B1119 between Leiston and Saxmundham in Suffolk.

Mock-up signs offering fishing permits, and detailing "species" of car to be found in the water, have appeared on the road side.

The county council, which runs Suffolk Highways, said it was working to clear the water and repair the road.

Local people have called for Suffolk Highways to resolve the issue and an online petition had attracted almost 500 signatures.

Campaigner Ian Goodwin said: "The situation has gone on for far too long without resolution."

According to the petition, the road becomes "impassable on a regular basis", causing the council to close it and divert drivers along more minor roads.

"This petition is to request that the Suffolk Highways department deploy the necessary means required to clear the ditches and resolve the drainage issues on this road," it said.

Local drivers said the road often flooded after heavy rainfall, but that it was never an issue until recent years.

The unofficial signs read "for ferry crossing times, contact Suffolk Highways Dept", while another states "fishing permits available from East Suffolk Council".

Driver Adam Cousins said he found the tone of the unofficial signs amusing, but admitted the detours could be frustrating.

"You've got to take it with a pinch of salt and maybe trying not to get too frustrated. Yes, it's a bit of a detour, but it's just one of those things. I'm sure it will get sorted out one way or another," he said.

Motorist Catherine Girling said driving along that stretch of the road could be hazardous when it was flooded.

"Something has got to be done; there's obviously a problem with drainage and ditches here, but this has been a problem for years," she said.

A Suffolk Highways spokesperson said: "Teams are working to clear the surface water and repair the road as soon as possible.

"The signs will also be removed."

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