I thought people might be interested in the report on the traffic trial.

RELEASE FROM THE HADLEIGH SOCIETY - TRAFFIC CHAOS IF NEW TESCO GOES AHEAD

A road traffic survey conducted by The Hadleigh Society involving over 100 cars was undertaken on 3rd May to simulate increased car movements, traffic congestion and exhaust fumes that Tesco would bring to the town.

Within 15 minutes of the survey starting there were traffic queues and congestion with cars backing up in Calais Street, the High Street, and Bridge Street in the May Bank holiday weekend sunshine, with journeys across this small town taking over 6 minutes longer than usual.

“This is what the future will hold for our historic town if Babergh allows Tesco to arrive in Hadleigh,; traffic queues, delivery lorries, exhaust fumes, noise pollution, road signage and 24 hour lighting:” Graham Panton of Hadleigh Society said “ Based on Tesco’s own figures there will be 4,852 car movements a day. Vehicle access into the new store would be on a bend on a bridge across the River Brett and, from all but one direction, will increase traffic levels in the High Street.”

A recent survey undertaken by small shops and independent traders in the town revealed that many businesses were concerned that increased traffic will have a negative impact on their trade and that there would be traffic congestion in the High Street, especially as most roads into the town are effectively single lane.

A by-pass was built around Hadleigh in the 1980’s to ease traffic congestion in the High Street and help to protect the foundations of the Medieval Buildings. Many residents are concerned that the increased traffic into the town will have an impact on the structure of listed buildings and that it will threaten the independent retailers and small shops selling local produce in the High Street.

The impact on the tranquility of the town’s River Walk and nature reserve, located immediately opposite the proposed