Residents and councillors raise concerns over ‘dangerous’ crossroads between Mill Road and Livermere Road, in Great Barton, near Bury St Edmunds, following two crashes days apart

Residents and councillors have raised concerns about the safety of a village crossroads following two separate crashes within the same week.

Last week, Mill Road, at the junction with Livermere Road, in Great Barton, was closed twice after multi-vehicle collisions just days apart.

Although there were no serious injuries, residents and parish councillors said this is not the first accident at the crossroads and are concerned these will continue if Suffolk Highways does not do its part to improve visibility.

This includes cutting back overgrown vegetation that is obstructing the ‘give way’ signs along Livermere Road and repainting worn road markings - something Elaine Read has requested on numerous occasions.

Ms Read, who lives near the junction and has recently become a member of the parish council, said she has been fighting for improvements to the crossroads since 2022, when a person was taken to hospital following a crash.

However, she said that no improvements have been made since.

She said the crossroads have been a ‘dangerous’ spot in the village for the 20 years she has lived there, and along with other residents, she is concerned that a serious accident will happen if action is not taken by Suffolk Highways.

“It’s a very dangerous crossroads,” said Ms Read. “It’s very concerning and I’m worried that accidents will become more frequent.

“The roads are getting busier and there is more traffic year by year.

“We’re asking Highways to improve just a few little things that I don’t think will cost a lot of money but could save lives.”

Supporting the residents is councillor Becky Hopfensperger, who was contacted by Ms Read following the accident two years ago as well as the recent two.

Cllr Hopfensperger said she contacted Highways officers on behalf of the residents to ask them to prioritise work on the Great Barton crossroads.

However, she has not been given a timeline for when this will take place.

She said: “Any accident is very sad and I hope everyone involved is okay.

“In this area, in particular, concerns have been raised regarding overgrown vegetation.

“We have been trying to keep on top of it, but we had the perfect weather for extreme growing of vegetation recently.”

Ms Read added that another issue surrounding the crossroads has been speeding - something she said the parish council has been working on reducing.

In 2016, speed warnings signs were installed, and a couple of years ago, a speed watch group was set up to monitor speeding in the village.

Great Barton will also have village entrance gates installed sometime at the beginning of next year.

“We are ordering the gates at the moment,” said Ms Read. “I think they will help draw people’s attention to the fact that they’re entering a village.

“The village has done what we can to improve safety at the crossroads and help reduce speeding.

“We have set up a speed watch group, we installed speed warning signs and we are in the process of getting village gates.

“Now, we would like Suffolk Highways to come and do something with the vegetation and the road markings at the crossing, because it’s very dangerous and we don’t want to have a fatality before something is done.”

A Suffolk Highways spokesperson said: “Following a recent inspection of the area, it has been determined that the current road markings do not meet the criteria for renewal.

“The relevant landowner has already taken steps to cut back overgrown vegetation around one of the give way signs.

“Additionally, we will clear vegetation at three of the junctions to enhance visibility for drivers.”