NEIGHBOURS of a cyclist who died on the A1071 near Hadleigh today remembered a quiet man who had a passion for football.It also emerged today that Kevin Spraggons, of Tayler Road, Hadleigh, only cycled to work that day because his car had recently broken down.

NEIGHBOURS of a cyclist who died on the A1071 near Hadleigh today remembered a quiet man who had a passion for football.

It also emerged today that Kevin Spraggons, of Tayler Road, Hadleigh, only cycled to work that day because his car had recently broken down.

The 42-year-old died in a collision with a grey Ford Escort van between Wolves Wood and Hadleigh at 5.50am yesterday.

Neighbour of 30 years, Ivan Sillitoe, 72, said today: "Kevin used to go by car but as his car had broken down he took his bike to work."

He added it may have been a different scenario had he not been cycling to work as a delivery driver in Ipswich that day.

Mr Sillitoe knew Mr Spraggons as an ardent supporter of Ipswich Town.

He said: "He used to always have his flags in his car and go and watch the football at the weekend.

"Whenever England were playing he always had a big flag in the garden."

Mr Sillitoe added that Mr Spraggons was a quiet man who did not mix with many people.

He said his father died when he was about four years old at about the time his brother Barry was born.

Another neighbour, Phil Taylor, 39, said: "Mr Spraggons was very quiet but he absolutely loved his football. It's very sad."

A section of the A1071 was closed yesterday after the collision while police carried out an accident investigation.

While there has been no suggestion this particular collision was caused by speeding, it has prompted renewed calls to reduce the current 60mph limit of the road.

The stretch of road is a notorious accident black spot and extra safety measures have been put in place over the past few months, but residents still believe there is need for more to lessen the risk of crashes.

Trevor Sheldrick, chairman of the North East Hadleigh Residents' Association, said it was not the first time someone had been killed at Wolves Wood and wants further restrictions.

He said Suffolk County Council had agreed to impose a 40mph speed limit from the 30mph zone in Hintlesham to Wolves Wood.

He said: "Nowhere along the A1071 is it safe to do more than 40 or 50mph.

"There have been a lot of accidents and several fatalities on that road. It is not the first time someone has been killed at Wolves Wood.

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call Pc Barry Hunn at Suffolk police's road policing unit on 01473 613730.