RESIDENTS of four Suffolk villages are today preparing to step up their campaign for a bypass as part of the price of a new nuclear power station at Sizewell.

There has been talk of a bypass for the villages of Farnham and Stratford St Andrew for many years – and they are now hoping that a new road from the end of the Wickham Market bypass to the Friday Street junction at Farnham could once again be on the cards.

Last week Suffolk county councillor Guy McGregor said he would be demanding transport improvements from EDF energy, with a bypass for four villages – including Marlesford and Little Glemham – and restored rail services to Leiston at the top of his list.

That call was backed up at the weekend by parish councillors from Farnham and Stratford St Andrew.

Parish clerk Debbi Tayler said a bypass would be vital if the power station was built.

She said: “There was talk of new traffic calming in Farnham which was supposed to have been brought in last April but nothing has happened.

“We still hope for that – but it is really not enough. If there is a new power station it will be an absolute requirement for a bypass. There is no way the current A12 could cope with all the extra traffic that would involve.”

And she said the villages would back the calls to reopen the rail line between Saxmundham and Leiston for passengers as well as freight going to the new power station. She said: “Even with a bypass there would have to be action to take traffic off the roads and if that line was reopened for passengers it would make a great difference.

“This part of the county has seen a huge increase in traffic and general activity, but there has not been anywhere near enough investment in the transport.”