Roadworks in Suffolk

Suffolk Highways is responsible for the maintenance of roads and pavements. 

This includes reactive maintenance, such as fixing potholes, and planning works like resurfacing, surface dressing and improvement schemes.

Other organisations

As well as Suffolk Highways, there are numerous other people and organisations (particularly providers of gas, electricity, water, sewerage disposal and telephone-related services) who carry out work on roads, pavements and bridges in Suffolk.  They complete work on roads and pavements to maintain and improve the utilities required for households and businesses in Suffolk.

This includes utility companies like:

• Anglian Water
• BT
• UK Power Networks
• Cadent

These organisations have statutory (legal) powers to install apparatus in a public highway (ie verge, footway or road) - "apparatus" is defined as any structure for the lodging therein of apparatus or for gaining access to apparatus.

Any other company or individual wishing to install and thereafter repair, alter, adjust or renew apparatus in a public highway will need to apply for a Street Works Licence under Section 50 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA).  A Street Works Licence can be issued for works such as sewer connections, private water supplies or for the installation of ducts.

Installing apparatus without a Street Works Licence is an offence unless it is in pursuance of a statutory right or a Street Works Licence and may result in enforcement action being taken by the street authority (Suffolk County Council).

Information on applying for a Street Works Licence can be found on this website using the link Information on applying for a Street Works Licence (Section 50 – NRSWA) - Suffolk County Council.

To find out what road closures will be in place in your area, please visit one.network.

You can also find detailed information on the main type of work we undertake below: 

• Road and pavement improvements
• Parking
• Pre surface dressing preparation and surface dressing
• Road markings
• Road resurfacing

Have your say

We would be grateful for feedback on how our works were carried out and what you think of the result.

Fill out a survey if you have any comments about roadworks in Suffolk. Your feedback will help us to improve our service in the future.

Frequently asked questions

A road closure is being installed along my road, will I still be able to get in and out of my property?

Yes, the majority of the time you will be able to. When the road is closed, staff on-site will be able to make sure that you can get through safely.

If the works are taking place directly outside your property, staff on-site will do everything they can to make sure that you still get in when you want to. However, if for example, staff are digging up the road or path right outside your property, there may be periods of around 15 to 20 minutes when you may temporarily not be able to get in or out.

What about access for other services, including emergency services?

We notify the emergency services, local bus operators and councils for bin collections. If an emergency vehicle needs to get in, access would immediately be made available.

I run a business – how will people know if it is open?

Where appropriate, signs saying "Businesses open as usual" will be installed.

Will the works be noisy?

Depending on the type of work being carried out and the equipment required, means that works can be noisy. Teams will do everything they can to keep noise to the minimum. 

Will works definitely start on the date shown on the information boards on-site and on one.network?

Roadworks are planned in advance, however, to consider bad weather or other delays, dates are given that cover the range of days that staff could be on site (with a few extra days planned in just in case). If major changes to the dates of works are required, the information boards on sites will be updated.

Why is there a long diversion in place?

When a road closure and put a diversion is in place, it needs to be a route that can be accessed by all shapes and sizes of vehicles. The diversion will be as clear as possible, but people may choose to use other local roads. Read more about diversion routes for road closures.

The works have finished. Why have signs and barriers been left behind?

Sometimes teams need to leave the works with barriers around them so that new surfaces can finish drying off. Often teams are scheduled to collect the signs at a later date. Occasionally signs might be left behind by mistake. If they are still at the location more than two weeks after the works have finished, give us a call on 0345 606 6171 and we will assist with getting them collected.

I run a business - can I claim compensation for loss of business 

There is no statutory provision for compensation from loss of business or additional costs incurred caused by roadworks, or other disruptions on the highway. Businesses should acquire relevant business interruption insurance to cover such losses.