A Suffolk peer is calling for 'urgent action' to create a bypass on the A12 around four Suffolk villages, fearing the impact of increased traffic associated with the Sizewell C nuclear power station project.
Lord Marlesford wants Suffolk County Council to apply to the government for funding to enable the so-called Four Villages Bypass to go ahead, which will take traffic around Farnham, Stratford St Andrew, Little Glemham and Marlesford.
READ MORE: MP puts Sizewell A12 'four villages bypass' back on the agenda
Sizewell C developer EDF Energy received planning consent for Sizewell C in July 2022, which included funding for a Two Village Bypass around Farnham and Stratford St Andrew.
However, both Lord Marlesford and local MP Dr Dan Poulter would like Little Glemham and Marlesford to also be bypassed.
Of particular concern is the prospect of more traffic along the A12, especially lorries for the Sizewell scheme and new wind farms being developed off the Suffolk coast.
READ MORE: A12
"We need people to be getting on with it. What we need is for the county council to apply to the government for funding towards it and then the Government has got to agree funding and turn it into a project," Lord Marlesford added.
In January 2022, the EADT reported Dr Poulter's "disappointment" that the Four Villages Bypass wasn't going ahead and his plea to ensure future road changes could be adapted to ensure that it could be extended.
Lord Marlesford said he was concerned about congestion and pollution as the A12 was getting more and more busy.
"The road has got worse and worse and more and more congested, more dangerous and more polluting. Traffic is pouring out noxious fumes into the road," he added.
Dr Poulter, who represents Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, said: “I have always been a strong supporter of the full Four Villages Bypass and remain disappointed that EDF were unwilling to make the additional financial contribution necessary to deliver this important road improvement for Suffolk.
"However, the two villages bypass is at least a step in the right direction and that, together with road improvements to the A12 between Woodbridge and the A14 junction, will bring benefits to local people, including reduced journey times.”
READ MORE: Suffolk news
“I shall continue to work with Lord Marlesford and others to support the Four Villages Bypass and further road improvements to the A12 in the months and years ahead.”
A spokesperson for Sizewell C said a Four Villages Bypass could still happen if highways funding was made available.
She added: "Local communities helped shape the plans for Sizewell C during almost a decade of consultation.
"We know that the way we transport our freight and workers are important to local communities and our plans evolved to reflect local views.
"Sizewell C received planning consent in July 2022 which included a two village bypass on the A12, taking traffic around Farnham and Stratford St Andrew and significantly reducing the traffic passing through the narrow bend.
"It is important to note that this would not prejudice the delivery of a longer, four village bypass if future Highways funding was made available.
"This two village bypass will contribute significantly to a four village bypass."
A new Four Villages Bypass had been agreed in the 1990s, but success Governments were unable to provide the funding to make the project a reality.
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