FOR the past three decades, residents in a quiet Suffolk village have been plagued by puzzled lorry drivers searching for an elusive factory.Although visible from the road, Grampian Country Pork has proved a constant source of confusion for many HGV operators, who often stop to ask passing villagers the way to the industrial unit.

FOR the past three decades, residents in a quiet Suffolk village have been plagued by puzzled lorry drivers searching for an elusive factory.

Although visible from the road, Grampian Country Pork has proved a constant source of confusion for many HGV operators, who often stop to ask passing villagers the way to the industrial unit.

But yesterday afternoon council chiefs finally put an end to people's misery - three days before the factory is due to close.

Last night, residents in the village spoke of their amazement at Suffolk County Council's decision to put up a sign directing people to the factory, which they claim is “30 years too late”.

“I have lived in the village my whole life and we have had years of putting up with lorries coming through the village, asking where the factory is,” said resident Andy Taylor.

“But I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw someone putting a sign up telling drivers where to go, when the factory is not even going to be there as of Friday.”

Residents in Elmswell were left shocked earlier in the year after bosses at the Grampian Country Food Group - which also has a factory in Little Wratting, near Haverhill - announced they were to close the 42-acre site on June 9, leaving hundreds of workers without jobs.

“The fact the factory is closing is very sad, and it just seems a little late to be putting a sign up,” said Mr Taylor, 41, who works at the nearby Allpack Packaging Supplies factory on the Station Road Industrial Estate.

“They have put up signs for the Station Road and Grove Lane industrial estates, which is fair enough, but I thought the council would have had more common sense than to put a sign up for Grampian three days before it shuts down.”

The signs, which have been erected along Station Road near to The Fox pub, have been put up in readiness for a new one-way route for HGV lorries in the village.

Mid Suffolk District councillor Doug Reed, who lives in the Elmswell, said the new road layout was designed to improve access into the village.

He added: “When I was on the Elmswell Parish Council Transport Plan action group, we worked with Suffolk County Council to get a one-way route established, which is why the signs have been put up.”

A spokeswoman for the county council, which is responsible for the signs, said moves would be taken to rectify the problem.

He added: “Although the factory in Elmswell is closing, the new signs are part of a bigger scheme, agreed with Elmswell Parish Council, to create a one way system for HGVs accessing many industrial estates, not just the factory,” she said.

“Of 16 signs put up, just one mentions the bacon factory, and white tape to cover this will be put onto the sign in the next couple of days. We apologise for any confusion this may cause.”