Villages form part of construction route
Work on dualling the A11 from Mildenhall has started. Pictured looking back towards Mildenhall. Looking towards the Fiveways roundabout.
More than 100 lorries a day could travel through the villages of Kentford and Red Lodge during the dualling of the A11.
Lafarge Tarmac plans to supply aggregate for the widening of 5.5 miles of the All and a new 3.6 mile by-pass around Elveden from Gazeley Rail Depot, Higham.
Within a planning application submitted to Suffolk County Council, Lafarge Tarmac states that during the 78-week supply period more than 100 lorries a day will deliver materials to and from the plant.
The route proposed to transport materials to the A11 will see lorries travel along the B1506 in Kentford to the B1085 through Kennet and Red Lodge before joining the A11 at Elms Road roundabout.
Suffolk county councillor Lisa Chambers said: “While I appreciate the difficulties, this is going to be for the local communities.
“We all have this aspiration and wish that we want to see the A11 dualled and see the improvements to our local area.”
Cllr Chambers said the council had been working with the applicant and she hoped disruption to local communities could be kept to an absolute minimum.
On the return journey, Lafarge Tarmac has proposed its lorries use the A11 and A14.
Objections lodged against the application have expressed concerns including the quantity of lorries, the effect on road users, noise, and the proximity of the route to a school.
Forest Heath district councillor Roger Dicker said: “Eighteen months of lorries travelling along is quite a scary proposition.
“We are all aware of the great importance and need of the A11 being completed but it’s the route of the lorries that’s very concerning.
“The route is heavily used – another 100 more a day going through it, to me it’s unacceptable.”
Cllr Dicker stressed the importance of all councils affected by the plans being involved in discussions to ensure the most appropriate route is found for the lorries.
The planning application also seeks permission for the construction of further plant at the depot for a period of 18 months.
Within the application, Lafarge Tarmac dismisses locating this plant closer to the A11 or using an alternative plant.
Suffolk County Council will decide to approve or refuse the application.
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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