At “long last” traffic lights are set to be installed at a busy accident blackspot on the A11.

The Department for Transport is set to spend £400,000 on signals at Fiveways Roundabout, Barton Mills, after a concerted local campaign to see the congested junction improved.

The issues at Fiveways came after the A11 was dualled towards Thetford. The recent opening of a McDonald’s off the roundabout was also said to have made traffic worse.

Dr Richard Greenfield, chairman of Mildenhall Parish Council, said: “It seems that at long last there is some progress.

“All credit to the group that has been working for some time to achieve this. Wendy Chipping has really worked hard and it is brilliant that is paying off.

“I know some are saying they should build a flyover, but I think we should be glad that they are doing something.

“The traffic is incredibly poor for people trying to use the roundabout, and hopefully the traffic lights will resolve this.”

Matt Hancock, West Suffolk MP, has supported the campaign since a petition calling for signals at Fiveways garnered hundreds of signatures.

He said: “Since the A11 dualling was completed in 2015, I have campaigned tirelessly for safety improvements to Fiveways so I warmly welcome the announcement by the Department for Transport that £400,000 will be made available for the installation of traffic lights.

“This highlights the Government’s commitment to improving our region’s road network and improving journeys for many people in West Suffolk.

“I’m delighted to see these improvements as part of a £220million fund to tackle specific pinch-points across the nation.

“These improvements will undoubtedly bring higher levels of safety as well as reducing congestion on the roundabout and on the approaches to the roundabout. We must now get the lights installed quickly, so that the problems of Fiveways can be put behind us.”

The scheme comes as part of a wider investment in roads, with the East of England getting £17m in improvements. £14m will be spent on the junction 7a M11 scheme near Harlow, with the remaining £3m spent on a range of smaller projects. The funding was announced by Transport Minister Chris Grayling.