Highways officials and developers fail to show up for meeting over A134 closure

The public forum, which still took place at 7pm was due to host representatives from Suffolk Highways in order to address the work due to take place.

However, it was announced at around 4pm that officers from the highways authority would not be in attendance due to “public safety”.

Plans for the meeting came about as anger mounts over the road closure with an online petition being organised width 1,795 signatures already made

It points out that the closure would severely impact on people living in the villages and communities either side of the busy road with a 43 mile diversion put in place taking motorists via Haverhill, Clare and Sudbury (see map above).

It’s come as work continues on the Hopkins Homes’ Abbots Vale development opposite Nowton Park and measures have been put in place to prevent “rat runs” due to the A134 closing for eight weekends.

“Due to the hall’s capacity and parking limitations, I have recommended to the parish council that this item be cancelled for this evening for public and highway safety reasons.

“As a consequence, there will be no attendance of Suffolk County Council officers this evening.

“Given the high interest in the upcoming works by Hopkin Homes on the A134, it is crucial for both the county council and the developer to explain how traffic will be managed during construction and address any community questions.

“Therefore, we will arrange an online meeting soon, allowing more people to participate and learn about the upcoming works.”

The email finished with an apology for the late notice and that the decision was made in the interest of public safety.

A spokesperson for Hopkins Homes said: “We were expecting to attend the Nowton Parish Council meeting last night to discuss the planned roadworks, however we were informed the meeting had been cancelled at short notice.

“We are disappointed and frustrated to learn that the meeting still went ahead.

“We are keen to attend a revised meeting date when it has been rearranged.

“The roundabout and relief road, once completed, will result in substantial improvements for local people and support future growth in Bury St Edmunds.

“These improvements are not directly related to the Abbots Vale development but are part of our legal obligation to broader infrastructure improvements as agreed upon during the planning process.”