Felixstowe: Safety action to be taken after spate of crashes at underpass

Residents say it is not the first time there has been a crash at the site and highways officers are preparing to put new signs in place to curb the speed of lorries coming off the A14 Port of Felixstowe Road and make them aware of a sharp bend.

The articulated truck left the dual carriageway at the Cavendish Park sliproad on the edge of Felixstowe, went through an underpass and then jack-knifed at the traffic lights and pedestrian crossing in Trinity Avenue, opposite Anzani House.

It left the HGV across the pavement. No-one was injured.

Efforts have been made to encourage people to walk or cycle to work at the port.

People living in the area have complained previously about the speed of lorries on the sliproad – and how difficult it can be at peak times to get out of Cavendish Park.

There is a 40mph limit on the sliproad and this then decreases to 30mph just before the underpass, even though Trinity Avenue, which leads to Dock Gate Two, is a dual carriageway.

Resident Richard Nicholls said: “This is at least the tenth accident in the last 12 months.

“This is surely now the most dangerous footpath in Felixstowe.

“How long before a pedestrian is killed? This is a busy footpath to the dock area used by workers and dog walkers.”

Town councillor Michael Sharman said: “This is a road which is used by people going to work at the port and the pavement there is used by people on foot and cycles – in fact, it has been deemed to have sufficient throughput to have a pedestrian crossing at the traffic lights.

“We need to ensure pedestrian safety there as a priority.”

Highways officers have carried out accident investigations in the area, including in Trinity Avenue, where there have been moves to close the gap in the central reservation following a fatal accident.

A county council spokeswoman said an asssessment had been made of the site and improved signs would be put in place soon to improve driver awareness.