A landmark road system in Bury St Edmunds could be ripped up to make way for a “longer-term solution” to cope with extra traffic from a 1,000- home development.

The Tollgate junction – next to the Tollgate pub – is earmarked for a road improvement scheme due to the planned Countryside Properties’ housing development in the north-west of Bury, next to the Howard estate.

The developer, which has outline planning consent for the scheme, is spending more than £5million on transport investment as part of a package of benefits, including changes to reduce congestion at the Tollgate junction and on Newmarket Road and Western Way.

The options for the Tollgate junction include the addition of an extra lane for northbound traffic so there would be left turn only, ahead only and right turn only lanes, but removing the current gyratory system completely is also on the table.

A St Edmundsbury Borough Council spokeswoman said: “The North West Bury St Edmunds planning permission requires the alleviation of the additional traffic flow generated by the development by providing extra road capacity at the Tollgate junction with an extra lane.

“However, planners at St Edmundsbury Borough Council saw the opportunity for a longer term solution that, while more expensive, would create even more capacity to serve the area, by removing the current gyratory system. The county council, who manage the roads in the town, has agreed that it is a desirable option but that it is not something that the developers should be required to fully fund.

“North West Bury St Edmunds developer Countryside Properties are aware of the proposal and have committed to contribute to the value of the original scheme.

“We understand that the county council is assessing the second scheme with a view to securing third party funding to cover the additional cost.”

Councillor David Nettleton is concerned about what provision is being made for pedestrians and cyclists at the Tollgate junction, and has put this question to the borough.

He doesn’t believe removing the gyratory would be an adequate solution to deal with the extra traffic.