Road that melted in summer full of potholes again

A busy commuter road that saw its surface reportedly melt during the summer heatwaves is again facing issues with potholes.

The A143 between the villages of Ixworth and Stanton, north-east of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, was closed in July for urgent repair work.

Conservative county councillor for Blackbourn, Harry Richardson, is calling for a public meeting "where Suffolk's political leaders can explain to residents how they will fix this ongoing saga".

A spokesperson for Suffolk Highways apologised for the "ongoing road surface issues" and said it "recognised the frustrations of motorists, residents and businesses".

Commuters use the road heavily, which runs between Gorleston-on-Sea in Norfolk and Haverhill.

Permanent repair work was scheduled for early August but defects have appeared again.

The spokesperson said: "Following the original surface dressing works, defects emerged which have been the subject of inspections and remedial works over the past year, but further deterioration of the road surface has occurred and we do appreciate the concern this is generating locally.

"Suffolk Highways is developing a plan for further works, which we expect to be finalised shortly and implemented as soon as possible.

"In the meantime, the site will continue to be monitored and warning signs remain in place. We would ask motorists to take care and drive according to the prevailing road conditions."

Richardson said: "I am deeply concerned about reports of a further deterioration in the road surface.

"This follows months of chaos and I have asked Suffolk Highways to investigate urgently."

Previously, West Suffolk district councillor Jim Thorndyke, who lives in Stanton, told the BBC that problems started when the road was resurfaced in September 2025.

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