Businesses say closure signs are confusing drivers

Business owners say road closure signs that have little information are leaving motorists confused over where they can and cannot go.

Carl Scott, who runs a holiday accommodation business in Stonham Aspal, Suffolk, said he had seen too many examples of signs being put in place, despite no actual closure, taking drivers on long and unnecessary detours.

He said he understood the need for closures but wanted to see the signs give clearer information with timings and exact locations.

Suffolk Highways said it understood frustrations but was not always able to include detailed information on every sign.

Scott, who runs Woodfarm Barns, told BBC Radio Suffolk's Wayne Bavin the issue had not affected his business, but had caused confusion for some of his customers.

"If it's immediate, fine, it doesn't need to say anything, but all they need to do is put a sign up that says, 'Road closed ahead, three miles or four miles,'" he said.

"All too often we go to those kind of distances and the road isn't closed and if you're not familiar with an area, you don't know the detours, you don't know the back roads."

He said closures "just seem to be everywhere at the moment" on Suffolk's rural roads.

William Longe runs Grange Farm, which has a shop on site, at Hasketon, near Woodbridge.

He said over the last five or six years, on and off, signs had appeared on the B1079 road outside, but that often motorists could drive through anyway.

A lengthy road closure earlier this year resulted in the shop losing £30,000 in sales which it had struggled to make back, Longe said.

He previously put up his own signs to help customers find their way but said he feared long-term the issue could put the businesses on the site in "jeopardy".

"We realise roads need to be closed, however the poor communication around when and where the roads are closed has a devastating effect," he explained.

"But it isn't about a road being closed. This is about the future of the rural economy; this is about economic resilience; this is about social stability.

"It's about community and what sustains that economy, resilience and community is the multiplication effect of every pound spent in a local business that goes to local goods and services.

"If councils and government are serious about supporting their economies then a simple thing they can do is better manage the closures."

A Suffolk Highways spokesperson said advanced signs were installed in line with national requirements.

"The location and timing of signs are carefully considered, taking account of safety requirements, the type of work being carried out and the need to alert road users approaching from different directions," they said.

"There are occasions when work starts later than originally planned or when circumstances change at short notice, particularly in the case of emergency works.

"However, advance signage remains one of the most effective ways of making sure motorists are aware of upcoming restrictions and can avoid unnecessary delays where possible."

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