Concerns raised over roadworks in Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds, as Bloor Homes begins two-month project for new development off Beyton Road
Concerns have been raised over roadworks in a village, which have caused ‘nothing but chaos’.
Residents in Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds, voiced safety concerns after work began on a new mini roundabout to serve Bloor Homes’ 210-home development, Thurston Grove, off Beyton Road.
Temporary traffic lights were installed on Station Hill on Monday, May 12, with the works expected to last 12 weeks and finish on Wednesday, July 18.
The project includes multiple road closures in the area and a diversion route via Thedwastre Road, Sandpit Lane, Norton Road, Station Hill and Thurston Road, according to a Suffolk Highways spokesperson.
However, with another set of traffic lights in Thedwastre Road to manage traffic flow, residents have said the current arrangement is dangerous with signage placed in the middle of roads, narrow lanes forcing vehicles onto pavements and poor visibility.
A video posted to social media shows two buses struggling to pass one another on one of the tight sections — causing long tailbacks and forcing some drivers to turn around and find alternative routes.
“It’s been horrendous,” resident Jeanie Jackson said. “All week its just been nothing but chaos, absolute mayhem in the village.
“Bloor Homes has put signs across the road to such an extent that you cannot see where you’re going — it’s awful, it really is.
“Everyone I know is sick to death of it. Lorries and buses are having to mount the pavements because of this, near our schools where children are walking.
“It’s just an absolute nightmare, it’s extremely frustrating and, at the end of the day, its dangerous — there’s no way emergency vehicles can get through to those in need. And on top of this, with the complete lack of visibility at the Pokeriage Corner, visibility is just impossible — it is going to result in an accident.”
As part of its planning agreement, Bloor Homes said it has completed and committed to further road improvements aimed at supporting its new development and improving safety and access for existing residents.
This includes building a new mini roundabout at the Beyton Road/Barton Road junction, upgrading the existing mini roundabout at Barton Road/Station Hill and realigning kerbs beneath the railway bridge to create a wider, safer footpath for pedestrians.
It said the plans were developed in consultation with highways engineers and planning officers with the goal of accommodating both current traffic demands and future growth.
A mother, who wished to stay anonymous, has four children who attend schools in Thurston and though her usual school run takes four minutes from where she lives, she said she now has to leave half an hour earlier than planned to get her children to school on time.
She said: “It’s not just the inconvenience, it’s the safety. Everyone is outraged and it feels like no one is actually looking at how this impacts the village.
“There’s so many kids that walk or scoot to school and everyday there’s so many near misses.
“I really hope those in charge listen to what we are going through and make some changes.”
A spokesperson for Bloor Homes said: “The development is part of a carefully considered plan to deliver much-needed housing in the area, while also improving local infrastructure and connectivity.
“We understand that change can raise questions and we remain committed to engaging with the Thurston community.
“We appreciate the patience and cooperation of local residents as we carry out these essential infrastructure improvements. Our aim is not only to deliver high-quality new homes but to ensure that our developments bring long-term benefits to the whole village.”
