Sudbury Relief Road
There has been a long running debate in the market town of Sudbury regarding the large number of HGVs which are driving through the town causing damage to medieval buildings, pollution and congestion. The proposal to address this issue comes in the form of a Western Bypass which will cut across countryside, including the local water meadows and farmland, and skirt the outer edge of the town.
In March this year a report was published entitled Sudbury Relief Road: Strategic Outline Business Case which details the issues and arguments surrounding the debate. The photographs below, set out in pairs, have been taken to support both the arguments for and against the building of the new road.
“Cars have to mount the pavement when HGVs pass.”
“Narrow country lanes, such as this one near Belchamp Water, will be gone if a bypass is built.”
“HGVs make congestion worse on Sudbury’s narrow streets.”
“The main route taken by HGVs from the A131 has little or no traffic at weekends and so should not affect tourism.”
“HGVs exacerbate the congestion issues in the town centre.”
“Local traffic and roadworks on almost every road in and out of the town centre create the majority of congestion in Sudbury.”
“Pollution from heavy traffic leaves buildings covered in black grit and dust.”
“The water meadows are a flood plain and much of them, including this part, are underwater during parts of the winter. A bypass across this land would not just ruin the view but have a knock-on effect on local wildlife in this unique ecosystem.”
“A local newspaper reports on recent developments in the planning for a new Sudbury bypass and how it will benefit the town.”
“The town centre has already lost shops which have moved out to the retail park on the edge of town. The construction of a bypass would lead to less through traffic and more shops moving out of town or closing.”
“Local MP James Cartlidge sen a letter to all Sudbury residents requesting they sign a petition in favour of a bypass.”
“Campaigners went out to meet members of the public who use the Valley Walk and meadows and ask them to sign their petition against the bypass.”
“This Strategic Outline Business Case was released in March 2017 to look at the feasibility of building a bypass to ease Sudbury’s traffic issues.”
“Campaigners on the Valley Walk are sharing information with the public and collecting signatures for their petition against the construction of a bypass.”
Context & Narrative 