A143 ROAD CLOSURE
THURSDAY 9 JULY to MONDAY 13 JULY
What has happened?
In the evening of Monday 6th July, reports were received that stretches of the A143 between Ixworth and Stanton had begun to deteriorate following sustained high temperatures. A decision was made early on Tuesday 7th July to close the road for emergency repairs to be completed, with reopening scheduled for Monday 13th July.
The ‘official’ diversion route follows the A14 and along the A140, but there has been widespread evidence that confirms a significant number of motorists – including heavy goods vehicles and articulated lorries – have ignored this and instead are using narrow, rural lanes (including through villages such as Bardwell, Ixworth and Stanton) to circumvent this. This has resulted in serious concerns for public safety and damage to residential property.
Why did this happen?
Resurfacing work undertaken in September 2025 was found to be defective, and remedial repairs were planned for early 2026 but were repeatedly delayed due to adverse weather conditions. After the carriageway ‘failed’ on 26th May due to extreme heat, emergency repairs were completed at the time – on Tuesday 30th June it was confirmed that the permanent repairs would take place between 1st-3rd August.
After a period of intermittent heavy rain and sustained high temperatures over the last few weeks, the A143 again ‘melted’ between Ixworth and Stanton earlier this week. Surface temperatures, which exceeded 60 degrees, caused the tarmac to break apart and it could not cool sufficiently overnight, despite the emergency repairs completed in May.
What has been the response from Suffolk Highways?
An official diversion route has been publicised and signage positioned along affected roads to avoid short-cuts. This has been highly ineffective and has made no material impact on residents (and their property) throughout the last few days.
Suggestions of travel restrictions for non-residents and non-business owners have been declined by Suffolk County Council, as have other proposals for one-way traffic flows or an on-site presence to redirect traffic. The County Council recommends that, where there are immediate public safety concerns, Suffolk Constabulary be contacted via calling 101.
It is not clear how the police could access narrow, rural lanes if they are congested and if a collision occurs but this nonetheless remains their official advice. I remain bewildered as to how this is a practical solution to a potentially serious, life-threatening situation.
On a more positive note, confirmation has been received after requests from myself and District and Parish colleagues that the permanent repair works will now be brought forward and are being completed this week. This should hopefully prevent a similar situation occurring later this summer.
How do we prevent this from happening again?
Notwithstanding the official position from Suffolk County Council, the current situation is clearly intolerable. If – and when – this situation repeats itself, the chaos that follows will be entirely avoidable. To prevent this, myself and District and Parish Councillor colleagues have asked for a public meeting with the Cabinet Member for Highways and the Director of Growth, Highways & Infrastructure to discuss this further.
We will work to secure this meeting, which will be open to the public, over the coming weeks and will share details of this once it is has been finalised.
Who do I complain to / who is accountable for this?
Milestone Infrastructure, as the designated contractor, have been carrying out the repair works on the A143 over the last year. The defective road surfacing installed in September 2025 is within the warranty period of their contract so they will need to pay for the subsequent repairs on the A143 – this will therefore not be paid by the taxpayer.
Nonetheless, Suffolk Highways remain liable for public roads in our county – including the A143 – and they remain the first point of contact for complaints.
What happens next?
Unfortunately it seems there is little that can be done to mitigate the impact of the current road closure. Please know that this has not been for wont of trying, but repeated phone calls and emails from myself and others have seemingly fallen on deaf ears.
My focus will now therefore be on ensuring the A143 opens as planned on Monday 13th July. Thereafter, it is imperative that a public meeting is arranged to discuss the impact of recent road closures and to agree the terms of an emergency plan which can be activated if such an occurrence happens again (which it will).
If you have any further questions then please do not hesitate to contact me via the details below.
With my very best wishes,
Cllr Harry Richardson, Blackbourn division, Suffolk County Council
E: [email protected]
T: 01359 256089
What has happened?
In the evening of Monday 6th July, reports were received that stretches of the A143 between Ixworth and Stanton had begun to deteriorate following sustained high temperatures. A decision was made early on Tuesday 7th July to close the road for emergency repairs to be completed, with reopening scheduled for Monday 13th July.
The ‘official’ diversion route follows the A14 and along the A140, but there has been widespread evidence that confirms a significant number of motorists – including heavy goods vehicles and articulated lorries – have ignored this and instead are using narrow, rural lanes (including through villages such as Bardwell, Ixworth and Stanton) to circumvent this. This has resulted in serious concerns for public safety and damage to residential property.
Why did this happen?
Resurfacing work undertaken in September 2025 was found to be defective, and remedial repairs were planned for early 2026 but were repeatedly delayed due to adverse weather conditions. After the carriageway ‘failed’ on 26th May due to extreme heat, emergency repairs were completed at the time – on Tuesday 30th June it was confirmed that the permanent repairs would take place between 1st-3rd August.
After a period of intermittent heavy rain and sustained high temperatures over the last few weeks, the A143 again ‘melted’ between Ixworth and Stanton earlier this week. Surface temperatures, which exceeded 60 degrees, caused the tarmac to break apart and it could not cool sufficiently overnight, despite the emergency repairs completed in May.
What has been the response from Suffolk Highways?
An official diversion route has been publicised and signage positioned along affected roads to avoid short-cuts. This has been highly ineffective and has made no material impact on residents (and their property) throughout the last few days.
Suggestions of travel restrictions for non-residents and non-business owners have been declined by Suffolk County Council, as have other proposals for one-way traffic flows or an on-site presence to redirect traffic. The County Council recommends that, where there are immediate public safety concerns, Suffolk Constabulary be contacted via calling 101.
It is not clear how the police could access narrow, rural lanes if they are congested and if a collision occurs but this nonetheless remains their official advice. I remain bewildered as to how this is a practical solution to a potentially serious, life-threatening situation.
On a more positive note, confirmation has been received after requests from myself and District and Parish colleagues that the permanent repair works will now be brought forward and are being completed this week. This should hopefully prevent a similar situation occurring later this summer.
How do we prevent this from happening again?
Notwithstanding the official position from Suffolk County Council, the current situation is clearly intolerable. If – and when – this situation repeats itself, the chaos that follows will be entirely avoidable. To prevent this, myself and District and Parish Councillor colleagues have asked for a public meeting with the Cabinet Member for Highways and the Director of Growth, Highways & Infrastructure to discuss this further.
We will work to secure this meeting, which will be open to the public, over the coming weeks and will share details of this once it is has been finalised.
Who do I complain to / who is accountable for this?
Milestone Infrastructure, as the designated contractor, have been carrying out the repair works on the A143 over the last year. The defective road surfacing installed in September 2025 is within the warranty period of their contract so they will need to pay for the subsequent repairs on the A143 – this will therefore not be paid by the taxpayer.
Nonetheless, Suffolk Highways remain liable for public roads in our county – including the A143 – and they remain the first point of contact for complaints.
What happens next?
Unfortunately it seems there is little that can be done to mitigate the impact of the current road closure. Please know that this has not been for wont of trying, but repeated phone calls and emails from myself and others have seemingly fallen on deaf ears.
My focus will now therefore be on ensuring the A143 opens as planned on Monday 13th July. Thereafter, it is imperative that a public meeting is arranged to discuss the impact of recent road closures and to agree the terms of an emergency plan which can be activated if such an occurrence happens again (which it will).
If you have any further questions then please do not hesitate to contact me via the details below.
With my very best wishes,
Cllr Harry Richardson, Blackbourn division, Suffolk County Council
E: [email protected]
T: 01359 256089