RESIDENTS in a Suffolk village plagued by lorries passing their doorsteps are likely to see a difference when new road signs go up at Easter.Several signs will go up in and around Mendlesham and on the A140 to help divert lorries away from the centre of the village.

RESIDENTS in a Suffolk village plagued by lorries passing their doorsteps are likely to see a difference when new road signs go up at Easter.

Several signs will go up in and around Mendlesham and on the A140 to help divert lorries away from the centre of the village.

Terry Styles, Mendlesham parish council chairman, said a parish council working party looked into the issue of lorries passing through the village and new signs directing lorries away from the centre of the village should be up by Easter.

He said: "The parish council has been working for a long time – since 1994 – with residents along with Suffolk County Council to try and work out a solution. And we have worked with hauliers and Paul's Malt."

Mr Styles added the new signing scheme was for Saxham Street in agreement with Stowupland council, for permit holders.

There was also signs planned for within the village for lorries when they leave Paul's Malt and they will be encouraged not to go through the centre of the village. Another sign will help drivers not take a wrong turning in the village and a sign on the A140 will direct lorries to Mendlesham industrial area.

"From Easter there should be a significant reduction in heavy goods lorries coming through the village," Mr Styles added.

Mr Styles said the parish council had looked at considering an overnight ban on heavy vehicles through Front Street since 1996 but decided against the move.

Also a link road was not an option because of the cost and any planning agreement which might have seen developers building it could have involved more than 100 homes being built.

Some residents in Mendlesham say they have reached "boiling point" over heavy goods vehicles thundering past their doorsteps.

Marcus Field-Rayner from Front Street, has carried out his own private impact assessment survey into lorries passing through the parish, and sent copies of his report to local authorities including Suffolk County Council.

Residents have voiced concerns about lorry movements through Mendlesham since the mid-80s after several local firms expanded and traffic increased to the lorry depots in the village.

Mr Styles said: "I understand residents frustrations and the problems and we have done our best to reduce the problem."