Village Website
National Highways invite you to one of the public information events it has planned for the end of this month. At the event, it will share information about the reconstruction of the concrete road on the A14 between junction 47a Haughley and junction 49 Tothill, which affects this parish.
This work is due to start in early February 2023 and will be completed by summer 2024. In addition to reconstructing the road, we’ll also be installing a new safety barrier, clearing drains, repainting road markings, and inserting new reflective road studs (cat’s eyes).
The events are being held on:
At the event, you’ll have the chance to meet the project team who will be available to provide detailed information about the plans and listen to your comments.
Construction of the housing development site has begun and as a result there will be works on School Road. These works are detailed as follows:
The main works will begin on Monday 16th January 2023 and will last for approximately 12 weeks
During this period a section of School Road will be closed to traffic. This will mean that access to the railway station will be via Church Road and New Road.
Works include the widening of the road, construction of a 3-metre-wide cycleway, and utility diversions and connections.
Access will remain for all residents on School Road to get in and out of their properties. However, there may be instances where residents must follow the diversion route and access School Road from the opposite end to the usual closest junction.
There will be temporary traffic lights at the Church Road/School Road junction whilst the road widening is carried out. We expect this to begin in Mid-March, occurring between weeks 9 to 11 of the overall period.
A pedestrian route through the closure will be maintained at all times.
Working hours during the day will be between 8am-6pm Monday-Friday and 8am-1pm Saturday
We have received reports that residents have been receiving telephone calls from individuals claiming to be the "Local Energy Advisor".
The telephone caller states that they are offering a free survey to check the loft insulation in the property as there may be a problem.
Some reports suggest that the call may be a recorded message.
Always be wary of any approach made in a telephone cold call. Always check the credentials of any company that contacts you out of the blue.
Always check any claims made, especially when the company are claiming to work with other agencies.
Always check the ID's of anyone who visits your property, claiming to work for an organisation. Keep any paperwork they give you.
Never provide any personal information to a caller that is not required. Never agree to any work done until you have received a second opinion.
If you have any concerns about a company that has contacted you, call us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
There is more useful information on the Trading standards website click here
If you missed the exhibition on 25th October you will still be able to get information on the website
https://nationalhighways.co.uk
It says that the surface of concrete roads that were designed between the 1950s and 1970s have an average life span of 50 years. The surfaces are now reaching the stage where they will need to be repaired or replaced for safety reasons, and to help them be less noisy and better to drive on.
Work on the A14 from Junction 47A to Junction 49 is planned to begin in February 2023.
The first work will be to construct the contraflow. To build this safely the A14 between Junction 43 at Bury St.Edmunds to Junction 51 at Needham Market will be closed for a couple of weeks. The A14 will only be closed in one direction at a time. Once the contraflow is constructed, the road will be reduced to one lane in both directions. The speed limit through the contraflow section will be 50mph in order to ensure the safety.
The company has created a Community Liaison Service which you can contact with questions and concerns.
The email address is community@buryroad-woopit.co.uk.
Phone number 0800 0352874.
The website is www.buryroad-woolpit.co.uk
Warm Homes Suffolk wants to help the people of Suffolk live in homes that cost less to heat, so they can reduce their energy usage and enjoy lower bills.
There is advice available at ww.warmhomessuffolk.org for householders, renters and landlords.
Grants to help insulate and make your property more energy efficient are available.
The cost of energy and food is so high now. With the kids home from school for the summer, I’m having to pay more for lunches and snacks. I’m worried about how I’ll put food on the table. I’m on a prepayment meter and I’m really scared we’re going to be left without any gas or electric if I can’t top up. What can I do?
First of all, we are really sorry to hear how tough things have been for you. You’re doing the right thing in reaching out for support and there are things you can get help with.
As a prepayment meter customer, your energy supplier will be able to give you temporary credit if you can’t afford to top up your meter. They might add this to your meter automatically, but if they don’t, you can call them and ask them to do this.
If you run out of temporary credit, speak to your supplier to explain your situation. They may give you extra temporary credit if you’re struggling with living costs. There are other reasons why they might give you extra credit too, including if you’re disabled, have a long-term health condition, or you have children under the age of 5. You’ll have to pay back anything extra you get, but you can agree how to do this in a way you can afford with your supplier.
As you say, the cost of living is really high but there is help available. If you pay council tax and you’re in bands A-D, you should get a payment of £150 automatically. It could take until the end of September, but if you've not had it already you might need to make a claim.
You might also be able to get help from the Household Support Fund, which helps those experiencing financial hardship. They can offer support with energy bills, with food or other essentials.
For more information on the £150 payment or the Household Support Fund, email Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Council on housingsolutions@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk or call 0300 123 4000.
There’s more government support coming from October in the form of a £400 payment to help you with your energy bills. If you have a prepayment meter, you’ll be given vouchers in the first week of each month from October, via text, email or post. Make sure your energy company has your up-to-date details.
To help manage other costs, it’s also worth checking you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to. There are benefits calculators you can use online or Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk can complete a benefit check for you. If you can’t afford to buy food, Citizens Advice also can help you get a referral for a food bank.
We know this is an extremely worrying time and everyone’s situation is different. Don’t struggle alone.
The scheme has now been launched. Here are the contact details
WGNS mobile phone 07738756470
Operational 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday
If calling outside of these hours leave a message.
In the event of an emergency call 999
Michael J. Perry has announced his retirement and the closure of the business.
He has written this short history of the firm which you will find in the History pages by clicking here.
You can find the new timetable on the website (Click here for Bins)
Please read the report on the defibrillators in the Information Section (Click here) before you find yourself in an emergency
Many Woolpit residents will have heard the terrible story of the heron shot through with a crossbow bolt and seen on many roofs and in gardens.
The following report comes from the BBC News website :-
A grey heron seen flying despite a crossbow bolt injury has been put down after vets found part of its spine had been dislodged.
The bird was photographed in Woolpit in Suffolk on 23 July, with further sightings made in nearby villages.
It was rescued from a garden in Woolpit on 20th August and taken for treatment at an RSPCA centre.
An RSPCA spokeswoman said it had "been suffering for a long time". Suffolk Police is investigating.
The spokeswoman said: "The bird was in a terrible state - very thin, weak and lethargic.
"This injury meant the bird would have been in incredible pain and unfortunately the heron was not going to recover."
Wild birds are protected by the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act and it is illegal for anyone to injure the birds, except under licence.
The spokeswoman urged anyone with information to contact Suffolk Police.
We would like to start a village photo gallery.
Here are a couple to get us started.
Blue door with wreath
And let us have village news for publication.
