Elmswell transport boss hits out at School Road closure

Simon Wilson, director of Elmswell-based HC Wilson Transport, said he has been informed that School Road in the village will be closed from July 31 to August 23 to allow work to be carried out at the fire station.

He said this will cause serious issues for drivers in the village, particularly HGVs and buses.

Work has started at the Elmswell Fire Station (Image: Simon Wilson)

"I can understand that they need to do this but the problem is, because the roads are not very big, there is a kind of unofficial one-way system where the trucks will use School Road to come in and leave via New Road," he explained.

"The idea of this is that the lorries coming in don't meet the ones going out. It has long been like this and it works well.

"But as soon as you shut off one leg of this for 24 days, you get what is going to happen. 

"Elmswell is already rammed with traffic - if you cut off one of the main arteries there will be traffic carnage on unsuitable roads."

Simon Wilson, director of HC Wilson (Image: Simon Wilson)

Mr Wilson said he believes Highways have not communicated well, do not 'use common sense' and 'take no responsibility' for issues caused. 

He also called for a bypass to be created for the village and suggested it should be funded with money from developers of the several housing developments in the area. 

Suffolk County Council spokesperson said: "Suffolk County Council recently met with the contractor to discuss traffic management requirements as part of the Elmswell Police and Fire Station upgrade.

"It will be necessary for the road to be closed due to open excavations throughout the upgrade which is an essential piece of work to allow the station to remain operational. 

"Businesses and residents should be contacted by the contractor two weeks prior to the work commencing."