The Street in Aldham reopens almost 12 months after shutting

The Street in Aldham, near Hadleigh, was first closed in November 2023 after the road surface collapsed.

But Suffolk Highways confirmed on Friday the road is open again to drivers, much to the delight of residents. 

"We are extremely happy," said Jenni Green, who lives in the area. 

"We can now 'hop' into Hadleigh, rather than doing a detour. It's very surreal - I am just hoping my car can remember to go left at the end of Church Road!

"It has been far too long." 

Repairs have been completed (Image: Suffolk Highways)Closures on the road have been lifted after months of delays (Image: Suffolk Highways) The reopening follows months of investigations and delays which have disrupted the repairs.

Suffolk Highways first said the road would reopen to light traffic only, before this decision was reversed in December last year. 

Investigations into how to complete the complex repairs were carried out, before it was revealed in March that on-site construction could start in June.

This was then delayed to the start of July, before birds were founding nesting in the area. 

The road first collapsed in November 2023 (Image: Suffolk Highways) Suffolk county councillor Paul West (Image: Suffolk County Council)

It was found that a robin, pied wagtail and wren were all living close to the bank where the road collapsed, complicating the project to repair the road and reopen it to motorists.

Speaking to this newspaper in July, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for operational highways and flooding Paul West said the work is likely to total "six figures".

"It's six figures," said Mr West. "Just thinking about how much things cost."