Town left exasperated at lack of progress on traffic order
Eye Town Council has expressed its “deep dissatisfaction” at the lack of progress being made in stopping HGVs from using the town’s roads. The council has written a letter of complaint to Suffolk County Council over the issue of lorries navigating narrow roads through the town – and criticised the authority’s inertia in implementing an experimental traffic restriction order (ETRO). The letter was sent by town clerk Michelle Salazar on behalf of the council, following a full Eye Town Council meeting on December 21, and stated: “It was agreed that I should contact you concerning our deep dissatisfaction with the complete lack of progress on our ETRO by Suffolk Highways.
HGV’s moving through Eye’s narrow streets have been problematic, and at times, dangerous for residents.
“Eye town centre remains highly dangerous to residents, pedestrians and cyclists and, to date, nothing has been done despite continual promises.
It added: “Eye Town Council has upheld its part of the bargain and the promises we made to our residents after receiving guidance from Suffolk County Council officers.
“We have spent considerable funds on a traffic report, collected huge quantities of personal testimony, attended numerous meetings, co-operated with lorry watch training (which fell by the wayside as there was no TRO in place), and have reserved funds for Eye Town Council’s contribution to the work. “Hundreds of volunteer hours have been willingly given by residents and our efforts over the past four years have been supported by our district and county councillors, as well as our MP, Dr Dan Poulter. “This level of commitment by Eye Town Council and Eye residents has not been reciprocated by the county council, with long periods of silence and unanswered emails being the norm.”
The letter reiterated the steps that have been taken since concerns were first raised, which include the formation of the Trucks Out Of Our Town organisation by residents of Eye, numerous meetings, traffic reports and testimony, a petition and many meetings.
It also highlighted the fact that, since plans were drawn up by Suffolk Highways as to the placing and wording of the signage necessary for the ETRO in February 2022, there has been no progress. The letter finished: “How can the people of Eye be expected to have any faith in the word of Suffolk County Council and through you, Eye Town Council, when the goal posts keep getting moved by you with no real explanation? “The residents in the affected areas are becoming increasingly angry and the town council will consider its options to take this lack of progress further as residents’ frustration is liable to boil over.
“There surely can be no excuse for the incredible inertia of the county council that we are experiencing so please consider this letter a formal complaint.”
The worst affected roads in the town are Castle Street and Lowgate Street, with buildings struck, wing mirrors knocked off cars, and an ever-present danger to pedestrians, when lorries meet each other and have to mount the pavement to squeeze past.
Suffolk County Council was approached for comment.