A consultation took place at the end of last year into plans to close the eastbound section of dual carriageway on the A143, north of Stradishall, where drivers can overtake slow moving vehicles. Works are currently taking place to make it a single carriageway.

Suffolk County Council said the scheme was proposed after a number of accidents involving motorists trying to overtake, who then left the road due to the length of the dual carriageway being below the required length.

Roger Medley, clerk of Wickhambrook Parish Council, said five councillors were strongly opposed to the plans as it would remove the only safe place to overtake agricultural vehicles.

Mr Medley said: "There was also a worry that the layby to one side could provide an ideal opportunity for fly-tipping."

Figures show, since 2004, there have been five injury accidents on the dual carriageway – one serious and four slight injuries.

Resident Alan Lovell, of Wickhambrook, said: "It is absolutely mad to take it out. It is the only space to overtake for 20 miles. It is only going to make it more dangerous."

A spokeswoman for the county council highlighted the benefits of speed reduction for motorists approaching the Plumbers Arms crossroads and the 40mph speed limit at Wickhambrook and the B1061 junction at Stradishall.

Have your say on this article - scroll to the top of the
story and click on 'comment' or email the editor with your
views.
href="http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/sectionhome.
aspx?sectionid=843">Click here to go back to our main news
index.