You can read Suffolk County Council's statement on our website.
![Councillor Peter Gould](/image-library/peter-gould-ws-hr-1.xb6cb8b20.jpg?width=470&height=256&fit=crop&quality=75&format=webp)
You can read Suffolk County Council's statement on our website.
To find current and planned roadworks, scheduled road closures and diversions routes taking place across the county, please visit one.network.
We plan roadworks in advance and to allow for bad weather or other delays, the dates shown cover the range of days we are scheduled to 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 signs on site.
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.
To find current and planned roadworks, scheduled road closures and diversions routes in the county being undertaken across Suffolk, please visit one.network
Fill out a survey if you have any comments about works being undertaken by us in Suffolk. Your feedback will help us to improve our service in the future.
8 July 2024 update:
Following the previous update, unfortunately, we have some regrettable news regarding the start date.
Further to a site visit by an Ecologist, it has been identified that it is highly likely there are nesting birds on the bank where works will be taking place. Whilst Suffolk Highways undertook vegetation removal to large areas of the site to mitigate against the risk of nesting birds, it was not possible to do this on the area of scrub in the unstable slip area of the bank failure on safety grounds. This is the area where birds are suspected to be nesting.
Unfortunately, by undertaking surveys for nesting birds any earlier would not have been accurate or avoided the current issues on site as birds can nest at any time over the season.
We have sought advice from our Natural and Historic Environment Team and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and whilst it is unlikely that Natural England will grant a licence to disturb nesting birds at this location, we are in the process of making an application. Even if this is successful, this will still mean that we are not able to commence works on the 15 July as we would need factor in time to remove nests and re-mobilise the construction team.
We are planning on the more likely scenario that a licence will not be granted, which means that we are looking to re-mobilise for a start date at the end of nesting activity in September.
We understand this will be disappointing news for residents, however birds and other wildlife are protected, and we have a duty of care to ensure all works are carried out safely and in line with environmental law. It is against the law to disturb nesting birds without a licence.
Suffolk Highways is working with Suffolk Wildlife Trust and SCC natural and historic environment team to avoid further delays. Additional surveys have been arranged to ensure other seasonal wildlife activity that can become more active from September can be managed. It still remains our priority to ensure the highway is reopened at the earliest opportunity whilst working sensitively within the natural environment.
We are sorry for the frustrations that this update may bring; however, we must ensure we are following the environmental laws in place.
27 June 2024 update: At present, we plan to undertake preparatory works during the week commencing Monday 8 July. These include the excavation of a trial hole within the highway to confirm the location of a water main and the potential removal of a hedgerow to accelerate some elements of work in future.
We anticipate that the scheme will fully commence on Monday 15 July, and are currently aiming for the improvements to be completed by mid to late August.
Further updates will be provided as the works commence.
Thank you for your continued patience whilst we undertake these essential improvement works.
20 May 2024 update: Investigations have now concluded, and repair solutions have been proposed. To allow The Street in Aldham to be reopened, a retaining structure will be installed to support the brook and embankment. Suffolk Highways is now concluding the process of obtaining the necessary approvals and creating a work programme with the agreed solution that provides the best value for money for Suffolk taxpayers and ensures the road can be reopened as soon as it is safe to do so.
Whilst a specific start date for the work cannot yet be confirmed, we are working towards commencing repairs on-site in July, with an anticipated completion date of August 2024 to allow for construction works and contingency for these. Every effort will be made to open the road prior to this target completion date; however, this is dependent upon operational progress and weather conditions.
Further updates will be issued as soon as a start date has been confirmed.
Thank you for your continued patience during the closure.
28 March 2024 update: Investigations have now concluded, and repair solutions have been proposed. To allow The Street in Aldham to be reopened, a retaining structure will be installed to support the brook and embankment. The team will obtain the necessary approvals and create a work programme with the agreed solution.
Whilst a specific start date for the work cannot yet be confirmed we are working towards an on-site start in June with an expected 6-week construction programme. Therefore, we are anticipating that the repairs will be complete, and the road can be reopened by the end of July 2024. Please note that this is a target completion date and is dependent upon operational progress and weather conditions.
Further updates will be issued as soon as a start date has been confirmed.
A road closure has been installed along U8036 Lavenham Road, Thorpe Morieux from Hill Green to Cockfield Road due to carriageway deterioration following badger activity. We are working with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to find a solution that will allow the road to be reopened safely whilst also protecting the badgers. We aim to repair and reopen the road in July 2024.
We are aiming to sweep the road, enabling the closed lane of the carriageway to reopen, as soon as is practicable to do so, although recent rainfall has resulted in further flooding and prevented our planned sweeping works for week commencing 19 February.
The Highway Assessment Engineer will visits the site to identify opportunities for additional works that can be undertaken at this location whilst the road closure for drainage works is in place to help avoid further closures and minimise disruption to road users. We are already aware of two potholes in the area, as well as some nearside VRS replacement required and will ensure these repairs are carried out at the same time.
Further updates will be provided in due course.
10 July 2024 update: We are pleased to confirm that we are now in the final stages of our repairs to Otley Bottom and are aiming to reopen the road during the daytime on Monday 15 July, subject to weather conditions and other factors.
Last week, we installed the concrete bag retaining wall and additional highway drainage. We also completed all road repairs required in preparation for the surface dressing programmed for August to help minimise further disruption to highway users.
Over the next few days, works will be undertaken to install the carriageway edge and pedestrian railing for safety purposes. Following this, we will complete our final checks of the repairs before demobilising the site by removing our machinery and equipment.
Please note that whilst Otley Bottom is due to reopen on Monday 15 July, we are carrying out surface dressing preparation works nearby at Church Road overnight from Monday, as detailed below. This will then be followed by surface dressing works.
Church Road, Otley
During these times, the road will be closed to ensure the safety of highway users and our operatives:
Repairs in preparation for surface dressing: Between 7pm and 5am, from Monday 15 July until Friday 19 July.
Surface dressing: Between 7pm and 5am, on Monday 5 August
Once again, we would like to reiterate our thanks for your continued patience and understanding whilst we complete these essential improvements in Otley.
4 July 2024 update: We are pleased to confirm that repairs at Otley Bottom continue to progress well as we near completion of the project.
We have completed the Phase 2 area of repair, and we are now making good progress with the northern section, having cleared this site and installed bank support sheets. The bed of the watercourse has also been prepared, to enable us to install the concrete bag retaining wall and additional highway drainage. It is looking likely to conclude by the end of next week (commencing 8 July).
In addition, we have cleaned all gullies, kerb offlets and extra drainage is being installed which includes creating drainage grips within the verge.
This week we are carrying out all road repairs required in preparation for the surface dressing programmed for August, this will help minimise further disruption to highway users.
18 June 2024 update: We are pleased to confirm that repairs at Otley Bottom continue to progress well after our second week on site.
Gabion Baskets have been installed to strengthen the carriageway and repair previous damage. We are now undertaking the installation of concrete bags, which form part of the watercourse bank reinforcement.
Once this has been completed, we will commence construction of the post and rail fencing and kerbing works before reinstating the carriageway edge.
Currently, we are still on target to complete the works by Tuesday 23 July 2024.
7 June 2024 update: We are pleased to confirm that repairs at Otley Bottom are progressing well after our first week on site.
Damning of the watercourse has been undertaken and we have also completed excavations to enable the base of the gabion wall to be constructed.
Whilst the road closure is in place, we will carry out additional works such as drainage and routine maintenance activities to help minimise the possibility of future flooding and disruption to the community.
At present, works are still programmed to complete on Tuesday 23 July 2024, as we are doing all we can to ensure that lost time will be made up following a delay to the scheme commencing due to Anglian Water’s emergency closure in the vicinity.
Thank you for your patience whilst we complete these essential works. We will continue to provide further updates as the scheme progresses.
28 May 2024 update: Unfortunately, works have been unable to commence today (Tuesday 28 May) as planned due to Anglian Water implementing an emergency closure along the planned diversion route (the B1079 Grundisburgh Road).
At present, it does not appear feasible for us to undertake our works at the same time due to the proximity of our closure to Anglian Water’s closure and the disruption that this would cause to highway users and the local community.
We are currently in discussion with Anglian Water to ascertain how long they are likely to be working on the network so that we can determine what the impact will be on our programme of works.
A further update will be provided on this webpage and via our social media channels once we have a clearer idea of a revised timescale.
We apologise for the delay, but this is due to circumstances beyond our control.
20 May 2024 update: Carriageway bank stabilisation and carriageway reconstruction works are programmed to take place from Tuesday 28 May 2024 and will continue until Tuesday 23 July 2024.
For the safety of highway users and our operatives, a full road closure will be implemented during our works and further details on this, and the suggested diversion route, can be found on one.network.
At present, we estimate that repairs will take around eight weeks, although every effort will be made to enable the road to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.
Further updates on our progress will be provided via this webpage and our social media channels.
Once again, we would like to thank the local community for its patience whilst we finalised a scheme which will help to minimise future disruption to highway users whilst providing value for money for Suffolk taxpayers.
19 April 2024 update: A topographical survey has now been carried out to enable the design of the gabion basket wall to be finalised. Suffolk Highways continues to work with partners on the final details of the scheme to ensure that the works provide value for money for Suffolk taxpayers whilst enabling disruption to highway users to be minimised. At present, we are aiming for repairs to commence during May, and we will provide further updates once a start date has been confirmed. Suffolk Highways would like to thank the local community for its patience in the meantime and offer reassurance that this scheme remains a priority for us.
1 March 2024 update: Early next week, teams will carry out a topographical survey, as well as taking soil samples – which will be used to understand and develop a ‘gabion basket wall’ installation similar to that installed previously at an adjacent section of the road. Following the work planned next week, we will design and plan the scheme which is anticipated to begin April 2024.The exact start date is still to be confirmed, updates will be provided as soon as a date has been agreed.
23 February 2024 update: B1079 Otley Bottom has been inspected following safety concerns of the flooding potentially undermining the road. It has been agreed that the road can be re-opened today as per the prior temporary traffic management set up, of 3-way traffic lights. Before the road can be re-opened, the road will be swept, and any large amounts of standing water will be cleared.
Additional warning signs will also be installed further along the road where the flooding caused some of the embankment to be washed away.
We will continue to monitor the location and work on repairing the road as a priority.
22 February 2024 update: due to further deterioration of the road, an emergency road closure has been installed until further notice.
Update 26 April 2024: A road closure will be in place on Saturday 27 April and Sunday 28 April to complete drilling, which will allow the teams to determine the length of sheet piling required, ahead of further repairs to stabilise the bank at a later date.
The road closure will be in place between 8.30am and 5pm each day but it is our aim to reopen the road as soon as possible on Sunday. Access and egress will be managed at all times. However, there may be times when the diversion route must be followed, depending on the ongoing operation at the time.
The road will be closed between the junctions with Bellwell Lane to Derry Brook Lane. Traffic will be diverted B1077, A1120, A140, B1117, B1077 and vice versa.
The weight restriction on B1117 and B1077 through Eye to be lifted for the duration of works.
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Temporary traffic signals have been in place along Aspall Road, Debenham, since October 2023 during Storm Babet. This is due to safety concerns because of the embankment collapsing, and to avoid further damage, the traffic signals have been essential.
The embankment collapsed by 4-5m causing the road to be undermined. A repair solution has been agreed and will involve the installation of a retaining structure to support the carriageway and will be followed by the reconstruction of the carriageway. Whilst the traffic signals have been in place, the location has been subject to ongoing investigations, as well as the necessary design work.
Prior to the work commencing, Suffolk Highways will need to obtain several consents but once these have been granted, a 6-week construction programme has been proposed and it is Suffolk Highways’ aim to commence on 1 July 2024. Therefore, it is anticipated that the repairs will be complete, and the traffic signals can be removed early August. Please note that this is a target completion date and is dependent upon road space approval, operational progress and weather conditions.
For the duration of the embankment repairs, a road closure will be required. Further details will be issued here in due course.
Barriers are on site to protect the embankment and footway support which has failed adjacent to the watercourse.
Fen Road traffic is being temporarily controlled whilst the implementation of a temporary speed limit is considered until investigations and repairs can take place. This has been a long-term issue where the carriageway is deforming and reoccurs periodically.