The chair of a community group said work to reopen a major road that has been closed since New Years Eve is 'not good enough' as concerns were raised over another nearby road being used as a 'rat run'.

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.

East Anglian Daily Times: Melanie Soanes at the road closed signMelanie Soanes at the road closed sign (Image: Charlotte Bond)

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.

While Suffolk Highways has said the road is being treated as a 'top priority' and could reopen early next week, Melanie Soanes, chair of the Moreton Hall Residents Association, is unhappy with the work.

East Anglian Daily Times: Compiegne Way, which has been closed since December 31Compiegne Way, which has been closed since December 31 (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"It is just not good enough. This was first closed New Years Eve and we're now in the third week of January - it doesn't feel like it is a priority," she said. 

Ms Soanes' garden backs onto Orttewell Road which she said lorries have been using more regularly due to the closure causing increased noise from as early as 5am, leaving her and her children 'knackered'. 

"18 years ago this road was lovely," she said.

East Anglian Daily Times: Lorry on Orttewell Road Lorry on Orttewell Road (Image: Newsquest)

"I am all for the development of the town but they need to put in restrictions to protect the residents.

"There is a pedestrian crossing and there's primary school children that use it. The other day there was a lorry either side of the crossing, it is dangerous and just not right." 

Another resident and member of the Moreton Hall Residents Association said: "When it [Compiegne Way] opens I think we will still get all of the lorries coming through here because they have realised they can.

"It is an absolute rat run and that is the issue we're facing." 

On Thursday, a Suffolk Highways spokesperson said seven tanker loads of water had been removed from the site and streetlight maintenance had been carried out. 

They said in a statement on social media: "New parts have been ordered to repair the control centre and a new pump, it is hoped that once the pump is replaced repairs are complete over the weekend, the road could be reopened early next week.

"This is dependent on weather and success of the system repairs.

"Thank you again for your patience and we apologise for the ongoing inconvenience this closure is causing - these works remain our top priority."