Road safety concerns over plans for Aldi and Wendy’s in Bury St Edmunds

Road safety concerns have been raised over plans for a supermarket and fast food restaurant off the A14 on the edge of a town.

Both Suffolk Highways and National Highways said, at present, they could not support West Suffolk Council’s proposals for the development, off Rougham Hill, in Bury St Edmunds, which feature an Aldi and a Wendy’s.

The project would be just off junction 44 of the A14.

In a comment on August 29, National Highways recommended planning permission not be granted for a specified period.

It suggested a series of surveys needed to be carried out.

These included a walking, cycling and horse-riding assessment (WCHAR) due to the scope for increased walking and cycling trips at the junction, as well as a ‘comprehensive collision assessment’ for the whole of J44.

Alongside this, it asked for analysis of the capacity of the junction.

Suffolk Highways said it had considered the project against policies and was ‘not in a position to support’ the application ‘in its current form’.

In a comment from September 8, it said it wanted a suitable walking, cycling and wheeling connection from the east end of Rougham Hill, and that a shared walking and cycling route on the southern side ‘appeared achievable’ within the context of the highway.

It also asked for a connection with existing infrastructure to be demonstrated.

Alongside these, given the proximity of the site to the St Edmunds Gate housing development, Suffolk Highways said a ‘safe and suitable crossing point’ from the site was required.