Bridge Street in Bungay one-way system reversal pleas

Residents along Bridge Street say that they have 50,000 vehicles speeding downhill out of half a million drivers per year who use it.

They have voiced concerns for their safety as well as harm to their listed buildings. 

In 2004 the street was made one-way down the hill, and then a 20mph speed limit was introduced with a flashing speed sign installed.

But now people in the street argue reversing the one-way system to force cars to travel up the hill from Ditchingham Maltings and up Bridge Street will slow cars down. 

The current 20 mph one-way system runs down the Bridge Street hill (pictured) (Image: Lindsay Want)

But Suffolk County Council says this will require a joint effort from Norfolk County Council as the one-way street starts in Suffolk crosses the River Waveney and then enters Norfolk. 

READ MORE: Speed camera data from Bungay and Beccles commute to Norwich

A spokeswoman from Suffolk County Council, said: “Any requests to change the traffic flow would need to be supported by both the town council and the local county councillor. 

“Due to half the road being within Norfolk, we would also require approval from Norfolk County Council.”

Bridge Street is at the centre of a protest over speeding drivers (Image: Terry Reeve)

People in the street also say that they believe cracks have appeared in the bridge separating the counties, claiming this is from the volume of traffic.

But despite locals voicing concerns, Suffolk County Council says it has not received any correspondence regarding the change of traffic flow requests. 

Taken from just before the bridge looking up the Bridge Street hill (Image: Bungay Camera Club)

The spokeswoman continued: “We are yet to receive any correspondence requesting the reversal of traffic along Bridge Street, Bungay.”

READ MORE: Halloween pumpkins used to spook speeding drivers through town centre

In previous years Bridge Street was the centre of the town's pumpkins festival.

People in the street revived the tradition for this year and simultaneously carried out a pumpkin protest.

Instead of carving faces in the pumpkins they carved the number 20 to mark the speed limit that has been in place in the street for many years, but which they claim many drivers ignore.

Halloween Pumpkin Night on Bridge Street, Bungay in 2009 (Image: James Bass)