The repeated flooding and closure of Potters Bridge continues to have a significant impact on our local communities, emergency services, and businesses. This issue is much more than a simple inconvenience—it's a real challenge that affects the wellbeing and livelihoods of all who live and work here.
On Wednesday 4th December 2024, I chaired a meeting with representatives from Suffolk County Council (SCC), East Suffolk Council, Suffolk Highways, the Environment Agency (EA), and Natural England to address this ongoing issue. I made it clear from the outset that we need both short-term fixes and long-term solutions—and we need them communicated clearly and quickly so that the community can stay informed.
During the meeting, I was briefed on the current situation. The gullies (drains) at Potters Bridge were last cleared on October 23, 2024, and Suffolk Highways have dedicated resources, including diversion signage, ready to respond when flooding occurs. However, I pressed for more proactive measures - to help now, and in future flooding incidents.
While cleaning the gullies reactively after flooding is one step, the bigger challenge is the surrounding marshland water levels, which are heavily impacted by storm tides. This makes it difficult to maintain consistent clearance. I urged the team to explore proactive ways to manage the flow of water before it becomes a problem.
Suffolk Highways shared the news that with a new contractor now in place, there is a clearer system for deploying road closure signage within two hours of a flooding event, no matter the time of day. This is certainly a step forward, but I raised concerns about the process for officially closing the road. They explained that decisions are made on-site by an inspector, who uses professional judgment to assess safety in real-time. While I understand this approach, I believe we need to ensure consistency in how those decisions are made.
Access to the outfall area, which plays a crucial role in managing flooding, was also discussed. The EA is working to clear the outfall, but their ability to do so is limited by access to the land. I’ve been vocal about the need to ensure sustainable access to this vital site, especially given how important the bridge is as a connection between Southwold and the surrounding communities, as well as a critical link to the local hospital.
One of the biggest concerns raised by the community has been the lack of communication. Many residents feel frustrated by the absence of information about what’s being done to resolve the issue. I’ve urged the council to improve its communication efforts—whether through the website, social media, or other channels—so that everyone feels informed and engaged as we work to find a solution.
The meeting ended with discussions on what will happen when the Environment Agency’s right to access the outfall expires in the medium term. Plans are being made for a smooth transition of responsibilities from the EA to SCC, and we’ll be scheduling follow-up meetings with all key stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach moving forward.
I will continue to push for the necessary actions and a sustainable, long-term solution to resolve the flooding at Potter’s Bridge. This situation is truly exceptional, and it’s going to take the combined effort of all the agencies involved to protect our community, our businesses, and our way of life.
Thank you to everyone who has been working on this issue - from the community, through to the responsible parties. It is vital that we continue to prioritise the importance of this road, and I'll continue to liaise directly with the responsible parties - pushing for immediate solutions, as well as longer term answers.
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