Eye HGV problems could be set to return as a traffic order expires
Long-term solutions to a five-year HGV crisis are being sought, with a trial scheme in Eye due to be reviewed in the coming weeks.
The six-month experimental traffic regulation order (TRO), which has been in place since June, has helped to reduce problems with lorries mounting pavements and hitting buildings on the town’s narrow streets – but has also led to increased HGV flow in neighbouring villages.
“We had previously been dealing with one every six minutes, and now we get 10 to 12 each day, so it has made a huge big difference,” said Eye town councillor Tunie Brandon.
“It used to be constant, with lorries within inches of people’s windows, mounting pavements and clipping buildings. It was making older people anxious, in particular, and waking people up all night.
“The TRO was put in place after an extensive study, and it was agreed the lorries through the centre of Eye needed to be controlled for safety reasons. Our aim isn’t to ban them altogether but to reduce the numbers.
“We have very narrow, medieval roads and there simply isn’t room. I know villages like Hoxne have had more problems with HGVs since the order was put in place, but they have to go somewhere – and what we really need is to work together on a long-term solution to resolve it for the next 20 years or more, whether that’s a bypass or something else.”
Officers from Suffolk Police were in the town last Wednesday to enforce the restrictions, stopping vehicles and issuing on-the-spot tickets to anyone flouting the restrictions.
Enforcement visits are infrequent, however, according to the town councillor, who said the order needed to cover a greater length of time.
“We really need these restrictions in place for at least a full year to see how it affects vehicles through a full farming cycle,” said the 69-year-old Eye resident (pictured right).
“We would like a full 18 months, but I believe it will be reviewed in January and I don’t think it will be renewed – I believe we will back at square one, so there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
“Ultimately, it is about haulage companies, farmers and local government coming together to find a solution that benefits all villages.”
Suffolk County Council officers are set to review the effectiveness of the trial in the new year, public consultation looking at its impact set to inform any decision.
A council spokesman said: “Since the TRO was implemented, we’ve been monitoring the impact of the restrictions and listening to residents’ feedback, both in Eye and in the surrounding communities.
“The public consultation is due to end in January, and the future of the restrictions will be decided after that, taking into account the feedback received. If any modifications are needed, they would also be subject to consultation.”
For more information on the restrictions, including a link to the consultation questionnaire, go online to at bit.ly/3uWWsqo.
