Why Suffolk Highways will not take on funding of HGV restriction on Moreton Hall, in Bury St Edmunds

The highway authority for Suffolk has explained why it can’t foot the total cost of a long-awaited HGV restriction on a town estate.

There’s a proposal to stop lorries over 7.5 tonnes from using Orttewell Road, on Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds from 10pm-7am to improve residents’ quality of life.

The proposed traffic regulation order (TRO) would also ban the HGVs (heavy goods vehicles) from using Mount Road between the Orttewell Road and Lady Miriam Way junctions between these hours.

Suffolk County Councillor Peter Thompson, who represents Eastgate and Moreton Hall, is currently trying to secure the last of the funding for the project, which Suffolk Highways said had an total estimated cost of £42,300.

He has already committed more than £25,000 of his county councillor locality funding and local highways budget (LHB) to it.

At a meeting last week between Moreton Hall Residents’ Association, Peter Prinsley MP and local councillors, it was questioned as to why Suffolk Highways can’t pay for the project as part of its highways remit.

After we put this question to Suffolk Highways, a spokesman said: "The Local Highways Budgets are funded by Suffolk County Council's Integrated Transport Block Grant, and there is no separate budget for HGV restrictions.

“The most appropriate funds for this project to come from is through the councillor's Local Highways Budget.

“The team at Suffolk Highways are continuing to work on this behind the scenes, so finalising the budget for this scheme is not causing any unnecessary delay."

Cllr Thompson explained that his LHB amounts to £8,000 a year.

He said it was a ‘balancing act’ to save up enough money for the scheme from his funding, while also having enough for other projects residents may need.

He said: “For me, the mental health, wellbeing and safety of Moreton Hall residents are my priority. They are a priority and not a luxury.

“For Suffolk Highways to say it’s not a core function for them sort of riles me to be honest.”

Cllr Thompson added that the quote for the works – which includes lighting as it’s a night-time restriction - was ‘extortionate’.

The spokesman for Suffolk Highways said: "The total estimated cost of the scheme is £42,300 - the professional services include a consultation with all of the businesses in the local area, and the construction estimates includes the signage and associated electrical work for numerous sites. The sum also includes a contingency percentage, given that a detailed design is yet to be carried out.

"Our rates are market tested with our highways contract."

At last week’s meeting with the residents’ association, Mr Prinsley said he would ask Suffolk Highways what is the explanation for the ‘exceptionally high cost’ for the project, and would also ask about the scheme being a highways responsibility.

At the last Bury St Edmunds Town Council meeting, Cllr Thompson requested just over £11,000 to secure the last of the funding for the project. The matter is expected to go back before a town council meeting.

Cllr Thompson said: “This is a chance for the town council to demonstrate they are promoting the same thing and are on board with promoting the health and wellbeing of Moreton Hall residents.”

A restriction on HGVs using roads in the estate’s residential areas has long been campaigned for and is still a key issue of the Moreton Hall Residents’ Association, whose residents are disturbed by the noisy lorries.

The Suffolk Highways spokesman added: “It is hoped that that a ban on overnight HGVs will significantly improve overnight noise pollution on the Moreton Hall estate, while also helping to sustain the life of highways assets along these routes."

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