The second phase of a multi-million pound project to make travelling in Bury St Edmunds easier for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians will start next month.
Suffolk Highways will begin working on the Spread Eagle junction on Monday, September 4, as part of the £2.8million “sustainable transport scheme”, which is set to be completed by April 2018.
The large scheme, which is twice the size of the Parkway/Cullum Road project, could take up to 25 weeks to complete but Suffolk County Council says both traffic flow and safety for all road users will be improved.
• Read which areas of Bury St Edmunds will benefit from the £2.8m schemeThe improvements will see the upgrade of the current old traffic signals, the creation of bus stop bays along Out Westgate and Vinery Road, footpath widening and the installation of a zebra crossing on Vinery Road.
The traffic island on Horringer Road will be repositioned to improve pedestrian crossing facilities.
For the duration of the works, temporary traffic lights will be in place along Out Westgate, Horringer Road and Vinery Road.
From the second week up until completion, Petticoat Lane will be closed from Out Westgate to Hospital Road, with traffic diverted via Parkway, Risbygate Street, Out Risbygate and West Road.
Access for residents and customers of the Dove pub, the Spread Eagle pub and the BP petrol station will be maintained throughout.
Councillor James Finch, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I’m delighted we are about to start the second junction improvement project in Bury St Edmunds.
“This is a large scheme and is twice the size of the Parkway/Cullum Road project. The same team that delivered that scheme will be delivering this project.
“They understand the traffic flows of the town and will also again be able to override the traffic signals if required at peak times to reduce congestion.
“Moving the bus stops off the road and into bays will improve journey times as well as the safety of road users.
“The widened footpaths and better crossings will mean cyclists and pedestrians benefit from this scheme.
“We regret that this scheme could take up to 25 weeks but the team have allowed for the effects of working through the winter months with potential freezing temperatures and shorter daylight hours.
“In addition two weeks are allowed for the Christmas/New Year period when no activity will take place. All efforts will be made to reduce this time if at all possible.”
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