The A143 in Stanton, Suffolk, has been forced to close after heat damage caused the road surface to deteriorate, leaving drivers facing a 62-mile diversion. The closure affects the stretch between Stanton and Ixworth, a key route connecting Scole and Bury St Edmunds.
Disruption for commuters and businesses
Motorists are now navigating small country lanes, while larger vehicles unsuitable for those roads must take a lengthy 62-mile detour. Jordan Griffiths, owner of JG Services in Stanton, described the situation as an 'absolute mess' and the diversion as 'diabolical', noting that recovery trucks now face four- to five-mile diversions on every call-out, extending wait times for customers.
MP demands answers
Bury St Edmunds MP Peter Prinsley has written to the highways authority, calling for urgent answers. He said: 'This disruption is having a major impact on residents, commuters and businesses, and local people deserve urgent answers on how this situation was allowed to develop and how quickly the road will reopen.' Prinsley added that residents had flagged concerns about the road's condition before the heatwave, questioning whether earlier intervention could have prevented the current level of disruption.
Repair timeline and broader impact
Suffolk Highways stated that the worst defects will be repaired this week, and the road had already been identified for further improvement works later this summer. The prolonged hot weather and local traffic conditions accelerated the deterioration. Councillor Christopher Hudson, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for highways, reported that three miles of road across the county have been affected by heat, with teams monitoring the situation and taking preventative measures. The closure is expected to last until Monday.
