An MP has called for a relief road to be built in Mildenhall amid plans for a major housing expansion. 

Nick Timothy, MP for West Suffolk, said the planned construction of new homes to the west of the town should be accompanied by a relief road to ease traffic. 

He said congestion already put serious pressure on the town's roads, especially at peak times.

"With the prospect of many more homes being built, action will be required to maintain traffic flows and to improve road safety in the town," said Mr Timothy.

"We will particularly need a relief road here to accompany the construction of around a thousand new homes in the west of Mildenhall so that existing and new residents can be sure of getting where they need to go swiftly and safely."

The call came after Mr Timothy was given an informal tour of the Mildenhall Hub by West Suffolk Council’s deputy chief executive Alex Wilson and portfolio holder for hubs Ian Shipp.

The £44million site includes a police station, leisure centre, healthcare and sports facilities, café, library and gym, as well as space for Mildenhall College Academy and Sixth Form Centre.

Mr Timothy said: “The Hub is an exceptional facility with all you need in one convenient and modern space. The range of services on offer is impressive.

"I’m struck by how important community facilities such as this are, and will be in future, as the number of people living in Mildenhall grows," he added.

In February, councillor Ian Shipp, Mildenhall mayor, hit out at Suffolk County Council plans to build up to 1,000 homes on land either side of West Row Road. 

The outline plans also included up to 80-bed care units, up to five hectares of commercial land, a local centre, land for a primary school and two early years facilities, public open space and associated landscaping. 

At the time, he said the town was "already over its traffic capacity" and the plans would be "a disaster for Mildenhall and surrounding villages".