Fears over 'dangerous' road in Bentley in south Suffolk

In 2021, Eric Rayment contacted Suffolk County Council on behalf of Bentley Parish Council with concerns about a section of the C426 road between Tattingstone and Bentley railway crossing.

On this section down a hill and on a bend by Station Farm, spring water runs down the road and freezes in winter - making the road particularly hazardous for drivers in what is a 60mph zone.

Water runs down onto the road and freezes in winter potentially causing a hazard to motorists. (Image: Lucy Taylor) Mr Rayment has expressed frustration about the response of the council, particularly given the possibility that the hazardous conditions could potentially lead to a collision.

He said: "The water runs down the road and freezes causing a danger hazard. There have been occasions when cars have swerved onto the opposing carriageway to avoid the thicker sections of ice. 

"The county council have been contacted on this, a number of times in the interim period, but all we receive is excuses, nothing positive, and they have failed to supply their criteria regarding measuring danger that would escalate the problem so that it can be actioned promptly.

"We cannot see why this obvious dangerous problem is being ignored."

This hazardous section of the road is located on a potentially dangerous bend. (Image: Lucy Taylor)

Mr Rayment added: "We have contacted our SCC councillor Georgia Hall regarding this, and she stated that she would have a Teams meeting with appropriate staff. 

"Again, another excuse email was received from them, and my request again re the danger criteria has been ignored."

Ms Hall told this newspaper that she was waiting for a date for an online meeting from the council's Highways department. Once she has been updated, she said she would respond directly to Mr Rayment. 

Suffolk County Council was contacted for comment.