NEW solar-powered cats' eyes could be used to improve the A12 through the Dedham Vale, in a bid to reduce the number of night accidents – without detracting from the natural beauty of Constable Country.

NEW solar powered cats eyes could be used to improve the A12 through the Dedham Vale, in a bid to reduce the number of night accidents – without detracting from the natural beauty of Constable Country.

The news comes just four days after Bramford man John Minns was killed while was working on the A12 central reservation near to Capel St Mary on Friday night.

A Highways Agency Route Management Strategy (RMS) has earmarked a need to improve lighting on the A12 north of the junction with the A120.

The proposal is part of a ten-year programme of maintenance and improvement schemes on the A12 between the M25 Junction and the A14 Copdock Interchange at Ipswich - and the A120 between the Crown Interchange at Colchester and the Parkeston Roundabout at Harwich.

It is the first of its kind to be carried out in the country.

Data has been collected about the two routes since the consultation process started earlier this year, and talks have been held.

Three hundred have been raised, including a poor standard of junctions and access, noise and the number of slow-moving vehicles, inadequate laybys, poor facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and congestion.

A draft proposal considers dealing with accident hot-spots and reducing noise, as high priority to be taken forward within the next three years.

Street lights for the A12 between the A120 Crown and the A14 Copdock interchanges have been classed as medium priority.

But in response to criticism that street lighting would have a "disastrous" visual impact where the A12 passes through the picturesque Dedham Vale, an Agency spokesman said: "We are aware that areas like Dedham Vale are areas of outstanding natural beauty and would consider alternative lighting such as solar powered road studs."

The studs store solar energy in batteries during the day, which is released during the night.

The East Bergholt Society was among those expressing concern over the street lighting proposal.

The Highways Agency's draft proposal for managing the A12 and A120 can be purchased from the Agency, priced £10 or viewed at County Hall, Ipswich, or seen at www.highways.gov.uk.

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Police have named the pedestrian who was killed when he was in a collision with a lorry as he walked along the A143 at Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds.

Colin Bartrum, 33, of Stanton died in the accident which happened just before 3am on Sunday.

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A man from Surrey is recovering from arm and leg injuries in Ipswich Hospital today after his motorbike fell on top of him, and trapped him.

The man is believed to have phoned for an ambulance from his mobile phone following the smash at 9pm last night, on the B1119 between Rendham and Saxmundham.