Calls for Bury St Edmunds Compiegne Way investigation

The A143 Compiegne Way in Bury St Edmunds has been closed since Sunday, December 31, after heavy rainfall left it submerged.

The prolonged closure has caused congestion in and around the town centre as motorists try to find alternative routes.

Vandalism to control gear delayed clear-up works in the west Suffolk town but teams from the authority were able to clear 72,000 gallons of water from the road on Wednesday.

Compiegne Way, Bury St Edmunds (Image: Suffolk Highways)

A spokesman for Suffolk Highways said: "Teams have made good progress in removing floodwater.

"The southbound side of the road is now completely clear of water, where the northbound side is covered in ice where the floodwater was.

"It's expected that the floodwater will have cleared tomorrow, therefore we'll be ready to jet and clear silt from the system. 

"If the water levels remain as they are, we'll then investigate the pump system," they added. 

Cllr Beccy Hopfensperger, who represents The Fornhams & Great Barton on West Suffolk Council (Image: WSC)

Beccy Hopfensperger, who represents The Fornhams & Great Barton on West Suffolk Council, said of the update: "I am pleased that it appears that progress is finally being made to re-open this important strategic route.

"I am sure everyone would agree, including those that are working on the issue that the closure has gone on for too long, it’s a complex issue with many factors at play." 

She said she is reassured that Suffolk Highways is dealing with the issue as a priority.

"What’s important now is that a full investigation into the cause of the flooding is carried out and a sustainable long term solution is sought to rectify this problem once and for all, to prevent the devastating effect the closure has on surrounding communities," she said.

"I will continue working with highways to this end, as well as ensuring the damage caused by the closure to surrounding roads is fixed." 

The road remains closed at this time.