Meeting notes
East Bergholt Parish Council members Councillor Michael Hockley and Councillor John Price met the
Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, Councillor Christopher Hudson, on
Monday 29
th
June at Endeavour House.
Introductions, during which all agreed about the importance of having safe roads.
Mill Road Crossroads
The cross roads on Mill Road with Gandish Road/Straight Road were discussed as an accident blackspot.
Averaging an accident per month, typically includes two to three cars, bodywork “stoved-in”, air bags
activated, ambulance called and passengers/drivers taken to hospital. The crossroads sits in a short 60
mph national speed limit, between two 30 mph limits. The cross road are pretty much invisible for drivers
on Mill Road and sideways visibility is very poor for drivers wishing to exit Gandish Road or Straight Road.
It was accepted that the accident data is not reaching the “crash-map” data base.
At present the junction is a give way junction but SCC did note last year that it should be a stop junction.
Melanie Hall, a Roads Safety Police Officer and John Price met about 15 months ago to review of the
junction following the fatality on the B1070. This review was discussed. Councillor Hudson questioned the
behaviour of drivers but agreed that reduced speed limit would be appropriate and said that Melonie Hall
(Liaison Officer) was now back at work and would be able to make a site visit and consider what might be
done.
Councillors Price and Hockley said that East Bergholt PC would be prepared to discuss how the PC might
help with costs.
Councillor Hudson suggested that the local County Councillor might be able to help from their locality
fund.
Touchey Hill/Brantham Road B1070
The fatality in March 2025 was mentioned alongside the fact that the victim was a local lady. There are two
blind bends which require visibility splays to enable drivers to see pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles
on the corners. The road speed limit would need to be reduced to 30 mph to control the size of the safety
splays even though it is only possible to negotiate the tighter bend at low speeds (typically 20 to 25 mph).
Primary School Bus layby on Hadleigh Road.
The problem of this layby is that it is permanently blocked by a stretched limousine. This issue is the
subject of an email from Councillor Hudson’s office dated 26/06/2026. This email proposes a timed parking
restriction and to progress this to a TRO would incur costs estimated to be £4k to £5k. Councillor Hudson
suggested that East Bergholt PC might consider match funding.
Fen Bridge Accessibility Ramps
Councillor Price said that about three years ago Ben Cook (SCC Highways) had informed him that SCC had
received some money from DEFRA and were using this money to scope out the works for providing ramps
for Fen Bridge (Stage 2). Councillor Hudson suggested that Councillor Price writes to Mr Ben Cook to ask
about progress.
Other
Other discussions were general in nature about the differences between highway maintenance and
highway improvements and the costs to the community of accidents and the use of these in prioritising
improvement projects.
Action
East Bergholt PC (JP) to write to SCC officers John Clements and Ben Cook, copied to Councillor Hudson