A1088 roadworks between Woolpit and Elmswell causing travel delays come under fire

Roadworks causing travel misery for villagers in Woolpit and Elmswell, near Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, were poorly planned according to a parish council clerk.

The southbound lane of the A1088 between Woolpit and Elmswell is listed as closed until March 22, with a nine-mile diversion in place, during works to build a new roundabout for Hopkins Homes, for the Bury Road development.

Peter Dow, clerk of Elmswell Parish Council, accepted the works were inevitable, but said: “The contentious issue is that there should be co-ordination between all the agencies, because this is happening at the same time as the concrete is being replaced on the A14 and there are other roadworks on the A1088. So, we’re getting a congruence of road constraints on top of one another.

“Woolpit is suffering more than Elmswell during this latest work. I am looking to hold a ‘no diversion day’ at some point in the distant future, to celebrate a time when we have no roadworks.”

Helen Geake, chair of Woolpit Parish Council, also described the lane closure and diversion as ‘a problem’, particularly in view of the current A14 concrete works.

Work on the Woolpit East roundabout is scheduled to last until May 17, with the current closure in place until March 22.

Then there will be a slip road closure and two-way traffic signals in place from March 22-March 25, followed by narrow lanes until May 9.

The final phase of works includes overnight slip road closures and two-way lights from May 10-17.