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.

For information on traffic management in place for emergency works, please visit Temporary road closures for Suffolk Highways roadworks. 

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

You have said that my road will be closed. 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 we are working directly outside your property, we will do everything we can to make sure that you still get in when you want to. However if, for example, we 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?

We know it's important customers are aware businesses are open, so where appropriate we will put up notices or display signs saying "Businesses open as usual".

Will the works be noisy?

The nature of roadworks and the equipment that we use means that works can be noisy. We will do everything we can to keep noise to the minimum possible. 

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

We plan roadworks in advance, so to take into account bad weather or other delays, we give dates that cover the range of days that we could be on site (with a few extra days planned in just in case). If we need to make major changes to the dates of works, we will update the information boards on sites.

Why is there a long diversion in place?

When we close a road and put a diversion in place, it needs to be a route that can be accessed by all shapes and sizes of vehicles. We make the diversion 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 we need to leave sites with barriers around them so that new surfaces can finish drying off. Often our teams are scheduled to collect the signs at a later date. Occasionally we may leave signs behind by mistake. If you do see them more than two weeks after we have finished, give us a call on 0345 606 6171 and we will come and collect them.

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.