Fresh questions have been raised over plans to build hundreds of homes off Bell Lane and Foxhall Road in Kesgrave, after a week of roadworks has left parts of the town gridlocked.

Ipswich Star: The land at Bell Lane, Kesgrave, which is the subject of negotiations to assemble a site capable of taking around 1,000 homes.The land at Bell Lane, Kesgrave, which is the subject of negotiations to assemble a site capable of taking around 1,000 homes. (Image: Archant)

On Monday, four-way temporary traffic lights were put up at the Ropes Drive East roundabout while Anglian water carried out work, leaving dozens of motorists complaining of journeys in excess of an hour or an hour and a half

And now, online readers have said the traffic issues prove that the town will be unable to cope with additional traffic from a proposed development near Bell Lane.

Petra Sharp emailed: “If this was a one off people would not be so upset but it seems to be a continuous theme at the moment and one has to wonder why Suffolk Highways/KTC/SCC are not looking at the wider picture including additional entry/exit points to the estate, the change of the almost redundant guided bus way to an access point and/or a southern exit via the newer development off Hares Close.”

Other readers have said that Kesgrave needs a bypass and additional exit points off the Grange Farm estate.

Ipswich Star: Roadworks on Main Road (A1214) in Kesgrave are causing long delays for motorists.Roadworks on Main Road (A1214) in Kesgrave are causing long delays for motorists.

Earlier this year, Suffolk Coastal District Council planners turned down a 300-home application off Bell Lane, but asked developers to come back with a proposal for 1,000 homes.

While no further application has yet been submitted, if it approved it would likely see changes to Bell Lane and Foxhall Road.

A Suffolk Coastal spokesman said it was too early to say what travel suggestions a 1,000-home development would bring, but added: “It is a key consideration when you are planning community links of any proposed development.”

There are currently no plans by Suffolk County Council highways teams for any bypass developments in the area, but county councillor for the ward, Christopher Hudson, said: “It’s about access in a nutshell. From Bell Lane and Grange Farm the main issue seems to be that there aren’t many routes out of Grange Farm.

“They are all extremely relevant points planners will have to take into account – this is a very important, serious topic.”

Anglia Water has since confirmed the works were completed a day ahead of schedule.

Do you think Grange Farm needs more access roads? Write to Star letters, Portman House, 120 Princes Street, Ipswich, IP1 1RS