Debenham has become 'lorry fest' says Suffolk councillor

Aspall Road in the village was blocked for several hours on Wednesday after a lorry attempted to turn around outside Hilltop Barn.

Residents say there has been an increase in large vehicles in the village due to the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order in which lorries are banned from Eye town centre, which has a knock-on effect on surrounding villages.

The lorry blocked Hilltop Barn driveway for eight hours (Image: Jeremy and Rebecca Stone)

The order only allows HGVs to travel through Eye when servicing shops and businesses following safety concerns.

Debenham parish councillor Steven Phipps said: “The freight that used to go through Eye is being diverted, and the haulage contractors are finding alternative routes.

“We have a B-road through the village so we expect traffic, but we now have all the traffic that would have used Eye.

“It’s not just isolated to Debenham. It affects every country road in every village that isn’t Eye.

"It means that this year has been a lorry fest for the village. We are just hearing the backlash of people living with the thundering of trucks.

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“Many people are considering it unfair, and if other villages put an embargo on trucks, where are they going to go?

“It becomes a compound problem. It is not an easy fix.”

Richard Smith, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for economic development, transport strategy and waste, said: "The restriction on HGVs in Eye is part of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order.

Richard Smith, of Suffolk County Council (Image: Suffolk County Council)

“Since it was implemented, we have been monitoring the impact of the restrictions and seeking feedback from residents, businesses, and other groups in Eye and in surrounding communities.

“The feedback from this consultation will be used to inform any modifications needed, which would also be subject to consultation.”