Highways officers pull out of A134 meeting for 'public safety reasons'

Highways officers were pulled out of attending a meeting regarding the A134 just hours before it was due to go ahead as a result of "public and highway safety reasons". 

The public forum, which still took place at 7pm at Nowton Village Hall near Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday evening, was due to host representatives from Suffolk Highways in order to address the work due to take place. 

However, it was announced at around 4pm that officers from the highways authority would not be in attendance due to "public safety". 

Two chairs were left empty at the front of the meeting. 

An email from the assistant director of highways at Suffolk County Council said: "I have been informed that a significant number of local and wider community members may attend the Nowton Village Hall ahead of the parish council meeting this evening.

"Due to the hall's capacity and parking limitations, I have recommended to the parish council that this item be cancelled for this evening for public and highway safety reasons.

"As a consequence, there will be no attendance of Suffolk County Council officers this evening.

"Given the high interest in the upcoming works by Hopkin Homes on the A134, it is crucial for both the County Council and the developer to explain how traffic will be managed during construction and address any community questions.

"Therefore, we will arrange an online meeting soon, allowing more people to participate and learn about the upcoming works."

The email finished with an apology for the late notice and that the decision was made in the interest of public safety.

Full road closures on the carriageway will begin this weekend, while traffic lights are currently in place in both directions.

A spokesperson for Hopkins Homes said: "We were expecting to attend the Nowton Parish Council meeting last night to discuss the planned roadworks, however we were informed the meeting had been cancelled at short notice.

"We are disappointed and frustrated to learn that the meeting still went ahead.

"We are keen to attend a revised meeting date when it has been rearranged.

"The roundabout and relief road, once completed, will result in substantial improvements for local people and support future growth in Bury St Edmunds. 

"These improvements are not directly related to the Abbots Vale development but are part of our legal obligation to broader infrastructure improvements as agreed upon during the planning process."

Suffolk Highways has been approached for further comment.