THESE scarecrows are the latest mode of attack against proposals to redevelop the HMS Ganges site.But some residents fear the latest attempt to frighten off developers Haylink could threaten road safety – the very thing campaigners are objecting to over the new development which will see 350 homes built on the site.

THESE scarecrows are the latest mode of attack against proposals to redevelop the HMS Ganges site.

But some residents fear the latest attempt to frighten off developers Haylink could threaten road safety – the very thing campaigners are objecting to over the new development which will see 350 homes built on the site.

An army of scarecrows with pumpkin heads and displaying 'no to Ganges' signs have appeared in gardens in the village but one resident claims motorists are causing a hazard by slowing down to look at them.

The Shotley resident did not want to be named but said she feared it was an accident waiting to happen.

She said: "People are staring at them and they do look a bit stupid really.

"Time and time again the safety aspects on the B1456 are mentioned due to the increase in traffic but there are posters displayed every five yards or so, plus the scarecrows, with pumpkins for heads, displaying 'say no the Ganges' signs is causing a great risk to road users.

"I had to swerve an oncoming car as they were too busy looking at them rather than the road they were using and neither of us was speeding."

Woolverstone Residents' Association feel the scarecrows add weight to their campaign and have now decided to focus their objections on the road safety issue. They argue that the B1456 could not cope with the predicted 60 per cent increase in traffic and it would pose a danger to residents across the peninsula.

Laurie Mayer, chairman of the association, said: "Our residents group has decided to seek an independent traffic assessment hopefully to be funded by the ten parish councils involved.

"We are convinced that the traffic forecasts for the Peninsula – based on data from Wigan, Barnsley and Lancaster are wholly irrelevant to a rural setting.

"We also dispute the classification of the B1456 as an urban road. An independent assessment will expose the flaws in the developer's figures."

The group is to conduct a traffic survey outside Ipswich High School on Friday to record the current level of traffic on the B1456 in Woolverstone.

Residents have already filed a petition to Babergh council in opposition to the building of the houses.

What to you think about the plans for the HMS Ganges site? What do you think of the scarecrows? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletter@eveningstar.co.uk>