Barking Road in Needham Market closed by Suffolk Highways as they complete flood prevention work

A Suffolk road has been closed again today, as a resident and a councillor shared their concerns about traffic delays and future flooding.

This morning Suffolk Highways shared an update on the B1078, Barking Road, Needham Market where they had a ‘productive day’ yesterday (December 13), removing vegetation from the route which is prone to flooding.

Giving information to drivers today, the highways team said: “A road closure has been reinstalled along Barking Road, Needham Market to allow for the ditching works to be undertaken, the road will be reopened later today.”

One driver, who does not want to be named, shared her frustration about the road closure.

She said: “I feel this could have been dealt with way before it got to this stage.

“This section of road is notorious for flooding and residents have long been voicing their concerns.”

She continued: “My daughter is at pre-school in Barking and the diversions set up mean that instead of a 10 minute journey there and back it is a 45-50 minute round trip.

“She goes on days I work so therefore I am late to work on these days.

“I know there are a lot more pressing issues in the world that are going on at the moment, but with a bit of affirmative action from Suffolk County Council and actually listening to the local residents this could have been avoided.”

District Councillor Dr Ross Piper believes the work going on at Barking Road will ‘not fix the problem’.

Cllr Piper said: “The regrading of the ditch will need to be done in dry weather.

“The main problem is the western culvert under the road and the section of ditch that leads to it.

“The culvert needs to be enlarged and the section of ditch that leads to it also needs to be culverted.”

Cllr Piper continued: “The ditches need to be maintained and more natural flood management is needed in the surrounding farmland to reduce run-off and hold water in the upper catchment for longer.

“Events like Storm Babet are going to become more frequent and natural flood management would go a long way to preventing flooding.”

Updates on the Barking Road closure are being published on the Suffolk Highways Facebook page.

A Suffolk Highways spokesperson said: “Our teams reopened Barking Road, Needham Market last night to cars only.

“The closure was then reinstalled this morning to allow for further ditching works to be carried out, along with removing silt from the road and carrying out a final inspection.

“Following completion, the road will be reopened.

“The works being undertaken at this location is to clear the water from the road and to try and get the drainage systems running.

“We will be doing a more thorough follow-up of all the drainage assets and a further clean of the ditches as planned works next year.”