Local Highways Matters
Community Speed Watch Group – Bredfield Road
We have been informed by the CSW Group Leader, that the group have disbanded, and the equipment has been returned to Suffolk Constabulary. The reasons cited were:
- We are catching fewer cars as they slow when they see us
- It’s not making a lasting difference as when we finish, drivers return to their bad behaviour
- Fewer of the original team are able to support due to personal circumstances or their support is waning due to lack of progress
However, I have registered MPC with SCC and they will arrange for the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) SID to be placed in Melton Road periodically. They will also send me the statistics and I will analyse the speeds and report.
Pavement Group
A revised letter, from the Parish Council to property owners where vegetation was overgrowing the pavement for Full Council approval can be seen in Appendix A.
Speed Reduction in Wilford Bridge Road
Following the September meeting of MPC, SCC were instructed to commence the speed reduction work in Wilford Bridge Road; this has, to date, not commenced.
Third Crossing Point on Melton Road and Hedge Cutting
Again, SCC were instructed to proceed with this project after the September meeting. In an update received on 16th October 2024, SCC have informed MPC that two bus stops require relocation; thus increasing the overall Net cost to approx.. £30,388.00 (approximate as full costs have not yet been acquired). The reserves set aside for this project, plus a grant from Cllr. Nicoll total £30,302.73. It is therefore recommended that this project proceed.
Phil has cut back the hedge along the entire length of Melton Road and Jenners Close.
A12 Major Road Network (MRN) Improvement Scheme Consultation
A consultation was launched on the 18th September and will run until 29th October 2024 – see (www.suffolk.gov.uk/A12MRN). The Working Group suggest the text shown in Appendix B of this report be forwarded to SCC. The WG also encourage individual Members to complete the survey.
National Landscape Signage
The NL team have requested permission to erect a sign indicating arrival into the Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape, just before the Wilford Bridge. They will fund the costs and manage the project but have asked that MPC take on the cleaning and maintenance of the sign going forward. See an example of the sign here…
Saddlemakers Lane
A recent closure of the A12 at the junction of the Bredfield turning and New Road (leading to Saddlemakers Lane), resulted in gridlock of New Road and Saddlemakers Lane. A resident of SL has requested a site visit with a suggestion that SL should not be a ‘through’ road, so that this does not happen again. A meeting with SCC Highways is arranged for 4th November. The Planning and Transport Working Group suggest a full consultation is established on this proposal
Local Transport Plan for Suffolk to 2040 – Public Consultation
This consultation was launched on 8th October and Members are encouraged to read the papers and comment back to the Clerk. The Planning and Transport Working Group suggest that a ‘long term’ view of highways in the County should include an assessment of whether it is possible to have direct access on to the A12 for Bentwaters Park and villages north of Bromeswell, reducing the traffic using the Melton Crossroads.
Bus Stop/Shelter improvements
An article was published in the October Melton Messenger. To date, the following comment has been received:
“While I only go into Ipswich once a week over 32 to 35 weeks of the year, the main reason I catch the Park & Ride is speed. It takes 10 minutes to drive from Melton to the car park at Martlesham and a further 22 minutes to my destination. Comparing this with 52 minutes while the bus literally goes round the houses, it may be understandable why I choose the former option. If there is funding for more buses, could I suggest some buses take an “express route” from Woodbridge, along Main Road, Kesgrave and into Ipswich. Should this suggestion gain traction, could I ask that some bus services are included for those of us using bus passes too, please?”
Recommendations
Members are asked to:
- Note and comment on this report.
- Approve the Pavement Group letter (Appendix A)
- Re-approve costs for third crossing point on Melton Road
- Approve the wording in Appendix B re. the A12 Consultation
- Approve establishment of the NL sign and commitment to take on maintenance
- Approve requesting a consultation on conversion of Saddlemakers Lane/New Road to ‘No Through Road’
- Commit to reading the Local Transport Plan for Suffolk to 2040 – Public Consultation and commenting back to the Clerk by 10th November
- Consider the comment received regarding the Bus Service and decide if an application should be made for further funding
Judi Hallett
Clerk, Melton Parish Council
17th October 2024
……………………….
Appendix A – Pavement Working Group Letter
[Date]
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Vegetation obstructing the footway
Melton Parish Council, in association with Suffolk County Council, is seeking to improve the state of public footways to aid safety and promote more walking.
We have noticed that overgrown vegetation from your premises is restricting the width of the pavement. We politely request that you cut back this overgrowth, as this is causing problems for pedestrians and other pavement users.
These types of overgrowth, hedging, low branches, weeds etc. can make it difficult for people to negotiate the pavement, especially families with buggies, those in wheelchairs, on mobility scooters or with other mobility aids, often causing them to use the roadway instead.
This is a gentle reminder that it is the property user’s responsibility to keep the pavements next to their property free from obstructions growing from their premises. However, if for any reason you need assistance with this please contact us via email.
Many thanks for your co-operation with this matter.
Melton Parish Council
email: clerk@melton-suffolk-pc.gov.uk
……………………….
Appendix B – Suggested Comments on A12 Major Road Network Improvement Scheme Consultation
- Q 11 – Tend to Support
- Q12 – Tend to Support for all sub questions
- Q13 – Following text:
“Should these proposals be approved, the impact will be massive on the town of Woodbridge and the village of Melton. With reference to the relocation of the crossing at the top of Woods Lane, further away from the roundabout, we welcome this, however we feel this should be a ‘controlled’ crossing. If pedestrians and cyclists cannot stop the traffic, they will still need to take a risk as to when to cross.
We also feel that there will be a need to co-ordinate this crossing point with the crossing just beyond the junction with Bredfield Road, or vehicles will be stop, start, stop…
We also welcome the new crossing further north of the Woods Lane roundabout, on the A12. However, once again we feel this should be controlled. Pedestrians and cyclists here will need to judge the speed of the traffic at 60+ Mph and we fear there will be accidents.
Finally, we would encourage SCC to extend the scope of this project to assess the A12 as far north as the Pettistree junction, looking at the following points:
- The junction just north of the Woodland Roundabout, allowing traffic to exit from the village of Bredfield, has seen many accidents, one as recent as 7th October, which closed the A12 for several hours. An assessment of this junction needs to be included in the scope of this project.
- We have received a comment that a further roundabout on the A12, close to Grove Farm, would allow traffic such as the refuse lorries leaving the ESS Depot, to access the A12 to travel in either direction, reducing the requirement to travel through the villages of Melton and Ufford.
- A new entry point on to the A12 at the Pettistree flyover, allowing access to the southbound carriageway, would also permit traffic leaving Wickham Market to access the major road more swiftly.”
- Q17 – Following responses:
- A12/14 – Part time
- A12/Barrack Square – Part time
- A12/Anson Road – Full time
- A12/A1214 – Full time
- A12/B1079 – Part time
- Q18 – Tick:
- Safety for drivers
- Traffic Flow, etc.
- Impact on journey time
- Q19 – Tend to support