A GREAT Blakenham man claims villagers were not warned about major roadworks in the village that have caused traffic tailbacks.Work has begun on a £575,000 project that will see around two miles of gas mains pipe laid between Great Blakenham and Needham Market.

A GREAT Blakenham man claims villagers were not warned about major roadworks in the village that have caused traffic tailbacks.

Work has begun on a £575,000 project that will see around two miles of gas mains pipe laid between Great Blakenham and Needham Market.

It has resulted in the B1113 Bramford Road being closed until July 27, with traffic diverted through both Great Blakenham and Claydon.

John Burggy, of Gipping Road, lives alongside the diversion route and claims he was not made aware of the project until just before it happened.

"We accept the work had to be done and the traffic diverted but it was sprung on us, he said.

"I'm told there was notices on telegraph poles and that may be true but I haven't seen any. I saw a bit in the Star just before it began but that was it."

He added some lorries are mounting the pavement outside his house in a bid to access a nearby industrial estate during peak times.

"When the traffic is queued up at the railway crossing, some of the lorries try to overtake but they come on to the path, which is illegal, he said.

"We've only had this paving a couple of months and it's already cracked. If there's damage to these properties because of it then who is going to pay for it?"

His neighbour Ann Gregg, 51, said the increased traffic volume is causing her sleepless nights.

"They could've at least sent us a letter to saying there would be more traffic down here, she said.

"It's making me extra tired because the noise of the traffic keeps me up."

A spokeswoman for Transco today revealed the roadworks are ahead of schedule and could finish one week early.

She said the work is vital to "reinforce the gas supply system" to ensure it can cope with "future growth in the area."

She also rejected claims they did not consult people about the project and said: "Letters were sent out at the end of last year to the people who were directly affected by the scheme."