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What would a one-way system mean for Hadleigh?

Ben ParkerHadleigh
Suffolk County Council A computer generated image of Hadleigh High Street with a one-way system installed. There are arrows on the road with people walking with children and buggies on the pavements.Suffolk County Council
A computer generated image of what the one-way system on Hadleigh High Street could look like

A town centre high street could undergo a significant change under plans to make it more pedestrian friendly.

Hadleigh High Street in Suffolk has been identified by Suffolk County Council as part of its active travel strategy, which sees government funding designed to make "walking, wheeling and cycling the preferred choice for everyone to get around in England".

The proposals, which could see the high street changed to a one-way system with larger pavements and 20mph limits in some parts of the town, are being consulted on until 20 July.

What do people living in the town think?

Ben Parker/BBC Hadleigh High Street with cars parked on both sides of the road, vehicles are travelling in both directions. People are walking on the pavement. Shops line the street.Ben Parker/BBC
Hadleigh High Street is a busy road in the middle of the town
Ben Parker/BBC A woman wearing sunglasses with her hair in a ponytail, she has a blue top on and is looking at the camera. She is stood on a high street.Ben Parker/BBC
Angela Evans believes the changes could put people off coming to the town centre

Angela Evans told the BBC she thought the one-way system could create problems in surrounding roads and could push people away from the town centre.

"We've already got closed shops here, who are all these people they're widening the pavements for?" she asked.

Ben Parker/BBC A woman with dark hair, she is looking at the camera and wearing a black top. In he background are cars parked on the street.Ben Parker/BBC
Serita Whymark said more road crossings would help

Serita Whymark, who uses a mobility scooter, said Hadleigh High Street could be a "dangerous road" and she would like to see more crossings installed to help people to cross.

"You get a lot of young people speeding up and down the road, so if it was one-way, they'd have to go slower," she said.

Ben Parker/BBC A woman with blonde hair looking at the camera, she has a pink top on. Items are on shop shelves behind her.Ben Parker/BBC
Alice Sargeant, who owns a shop on Hadleigh High Street, has concerns over potential disruption

Alice Sargeant owns a shop on the high street. She raised concerns about the construction of the one-way system.

"Anything that happens like that, seems to take a very long time. In that time I feel customers are going to be looking to shop elsewhere and possibly won't return."

Melissa Collier works at the business and said she had concerns about a potential loss of parking on the high street, which is one of the few places visitors can park for free.

The council proposals said it would include "keeping parking available" but there was no detail about how much there would be.

Ben Parker/BBC A man looking at the camera, he has a beard and a blue top on, cars are parked in the background on the street.Ben Parker/BBC
Reg Smith said the move would be a "disaster"

Hadleigh resident Reg Smith said introducing a one-way system would be a "complete disaster".

He said: "We've got too many elderly residents walking across the road and the speed of one-way traffic is just too much for them."

Ben Parker/BBC A woman wearing glasses and a pale top, she is sat on a sofa with picture frames in the background.Ben Parker/BBC
Sharon Wilkinson who owns a hair salon on the high street backed the plans

The co-owner of a hair salon on the high street said she was in favour of the plans.

Sharon Wilkinson said: "It can be quite dodgy out here with the amount of traffic going each way and cars parked either side of the carriageway."

She said any changes needed to make sure there was parking for people with disabilities.

Ben Parker/BBC A man and a woman looking at the camera, the man has a red hat and blue shirt on, the woman is wearing a white top.Ben Parker/BBC
Russell and Linda Moore said the idea was good in theory but had some concerns

Resident Russell Moore said "in theory" he thought it was a good idea but had concerns around where the traffic would go and if the project could push people away from the town centre.

He said the independent shops on the high street were "very good and a big part of the attraction of Hadleigh, so you have to be very, very careful that you don't kill the golden goose".

His wife Linda said she thought wider pavements would be a good idea for people with buggies and mobility scooters and she would like to see a crossing installed at either end of the high street.

Ben Parker/BBC A man wearing a black Arsenal FC top with a red apron, behind him is a sign that says East End Butchers.Ben Parker/BBC
Stuart Hasler said "potentially it could be a really good thing"

Stuart Hasler, who owns a butcher's on the high street, said a more pedestrianised high street could be a "really good thing."

He said: "Using the one-way traffic slows things down and there would be a lot less confusion.

"We constantly hear the beeping of horns for eight hours a day."

Ben Parker/BBC A woman wearing a green jacket over a blue top. Ben Parker/BBC
Independent councillor Kathryn Grandon believes it would enhance the town

Independent councillor Kathryn Grandon, who represents Hadleigh South, said she thought the move would "really enhance our high street, it'd make it more of a destination to come to and make the atmosphere here more leisurely".

She said she liked the idea of people being able to sit outside cafes and restaurants on the wider pavements.

"There will be parking still in the high street, that's really vital that we keep some free parking here."

Suffolk County Council's proposals said the high street "doesn't always feel as easy, safe, or welcoming as it could.

"Pavements can feel narrow and crowded, and crossing the road isn't always straightforward."

"We're exploring ways to make the High Street simpler to move around, safer for everyone, and a place where people want to spend more time—while continuing to support local businesses and the everyday needs of the community."

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