MOTORISTS will have to cut their speed on the dual carriageway leading to the controversial new park and ride site at Martlesham if the county council brings in a 40mph speed limit.

MOTORISTS will have to cut their speed on the dual carriageway leading to the controversial new park and ride site at Martlesham if the county council brings in a 40mph speed limit.

The council is preparing to ask the public for views on proposals to cut the speed on the north and southbound carriageways of the A12 on the outskirts of Woodbridge, in a bid to reduce accidents by the new site.

But parish councillors at Martlesham have warned that it could be difficult to enforce the new limit – and motorists would find it hard to suddenly slow from 70mph to 40mph.

They are also concerned that the introduction of new traffic lights at the roundabout could lead to drivers "rat-running" through Old Martlesham to avoid possible queues on the A12.

Lynne Lodge, parish clerk, said: "Councillors responded to the county council that if they wanted to introduce a lower speed limit then 50mph would be more appropriate. To come from 70 to 40 they felt would be really difficult to enforce.

"We have already requested traffic calming in Felixstowe Road in anticipation of perhaps traffic flows changing when park and ride is up and running.

"This parish council made the point if you put traffic lights it will shift traffic back onto the very roads that the by pass was built to alleviate in the first place."

Concern has been expressed by drivers that the council has stopped roadworks for the park and ride for the whole of August and they will resume in September when parents restart school runs and employees return to Adastral Park after holidays.

Simon Curl, the county council's project manager, said: "We are planning a 40mph limit on the approach to the park and ride roundabout as a safety measure to cut traffic speed. There have been a number of accidents at the A12/A1214 junction and we are aiming to address this by encouraging people to slow down.

"We have consulted with Woodbridge and Kesgrave town councils, Martlesham parish council and the district and county councillor on this proposal. The next stage would be for us to advertise the speed restrictions and local people can then comment on the plans.

"The speed limit would be signed in advance as motorists approach the roundabout to give them time to slow down."

Mr Curl added that the roadworks had been suspended for August because it was the council's policy to try and prevent delays for people travelling in the holiday season.