Calls for Compiegne Way Bury St Edmunds flooding fix

The A143 Compiegne Way in the west Suffolk town has been shut for much of this week after heavy rain caused the road to flood.

Town mayor Diane Hind, who also represents Tollgate Ward on West Suffolk Council, said it is "disappointing" that a new pump installed earlier this year has not fixed the issue.

Councillor Diane Hind (Image: West Suffolk Council)

"I would go so far as to say it is worse, because the water is taking considerably longer to disperse," she said.

"The massive disruption to travel around Bury is unacceptable, the closure of Compiegne Way has a knock on effect as does any road closure anywhere in our small town. It took an hour to do a 10 minute journey recently. 

"It is sad because earlier this year I thought the new pump and other equipment had solved the issue, but it proved to be just a temporary reprieve.

"I was once told by a civil engineer that the only solution is to raise the level of the road, so maybe that is the solution."

Councillor Beccy Hopfensperger (Image: WSC)

Beccy Hopfensperger, who is a west Suffolk councillor and a Suffolk county councillor, said: "I understand the immense frustration that this stretch of road causes users when it’s shut due to flooding, as it’s a strategic lorry route and a main route for surrounding communities.

"This issue is something myself and fellow councillor Sarah Broughton have been working on.

"I managed to work with Suffolk County Council to get the pumps upgraded which seemed to solve the issue for a little while, but it appears that this stretch of road is once again suffering from the same issues."

Part of Compiegne Way in Bury St Edmunds (Image: Google maps)

She said she is in discussions with the council to look into a sustainable solution "as a matter of urgency". 

"A solution needs to be found through working with highways and local landowners and we will do all we can to do this," she added.

Suffolk County Council was approached for comment.