The stone bridges on Nun’s Bridges Road in Thetford are seeing consistently high volumes of traffic, and speeding motorists.
Back in the 16th Century, the Nuns’ Bridges were a huge improvement for travellers on Peddars Way. Even then, though, queues of horse-drawn carts likely built up during busy periods and today, not much has changed.
The narrow bridges, that sit on the ancient ford over the River Thet and Little Ouse, can’t accommodate two-way traffic. There’s also no separate footpath for pedestrians, who must walk in the road and hope drivers slow to let them cross.
A speed awareness machine placed by Thetford Town Council has recorded consistently high volumes of traffic: over 600 vehicles crossing between 7 and 9am and more than 670 between 5 and 6pm on weekdays. While many drivers slow down, some do not – speeds of 30mph and above are regularly logged, with one vehicle recently recorded at 50mph.
Following concerns from residents, local councillor Jane James worked with Norfolk Highways to install new signage and road markings, encouraging drivers to slow down and be alert to pedestrians making use of the bridges.
The speed monitor will return in the autumn to track whether the changes are having an impact.
