News
Learner Drivers at the Community Hall Car Park
We would like to kindly remind users of the Community Hall car park that is intended for users of the Community Halls, Parish Room and Martlesham Common.
We have experienced several incidents involving learner drivers using the car park, including damage to a street light that required repair. The car park can become very busy, particularly when events are taking place, and concerns have been raised regarding safety and accessibility.
We would therefore ask that learner driver practice is carried out in more suitable locations and that the car park remains available for visitors using the facilities and Martlesham Common.
Thank you for your understanding
MARTLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL
LAND MAINTENANCE CONTRACT
INVITATION TO EXPRESS AN INTEREST
Martlesham Parish Council invites suitably experienced contractors to express an interest in tendering for its Land Maintenance Contract.
The contract will commence on 1 April 2027 and will run for a term of up to three years.
Scope of work:
• Grass cutting
• Maintenance of The Green and other open spaces within the parish
• Cleaning of bus shelters
Further information and registration
To obtain further details and the contract conditions, or to register an interest, please contact:
Mrs Lisa Burgess
Clerk to Martlesham Parish Council
Parish Room, Felixstowe Road
Martlesham, Woodbridge
Suffolk IP12 4PB
Telephone: 01473 612632
Monday to Friday, 9.00 am–4.30 pm; please leave a message on the answering machine outside these hours.
Email:clerk@martleshamcouncil.org.uk
Key dates
Expressions of interest:Tuesday 20th October 2026
Tender submission deadline:Tuesday 3rd November 2026
East Suffolk Call for Sites
As part of East Suffolk Council's preparation of a new Local Plan for East Suffolk, a Call for Sites was held between October 2025 and January 2026. These sites are currently being assessed to determine which sites may be suitable for allocation; no decisions have been made at this stage.
East Suffolk Council are now re-opening the Call for Sites to ensure they have a broad range of sites to consider and assess, and to provide a further opportunity for sites to be submitted at this early stage in plan preparation. The Call for Sites will be re-opened, starting on the 5 October 2026 and closing at 5pm the 16 November 2026.
The Call for Sites invites submissions of land to be put forward for consideration for allocation in the Local Plan and is part of the preparatory work for the new Local Plan. The new Local Plan will set out a spatial strategy seeking to ensure that future needs are met, identifying sites for development and setting policies against which applications for planning permission are determined.
The new Local Plan will replace the Waveney Local Plan adopted in 2019 and the Suffolk Coastal Local Plan adopted in 2020, which both plan for the period up to 2036. The new Local Plan will plan up to 2045.
This is part of the start of the process, and later decisions on preferred site allocations will be informed by a range of evidence and assessments and consideration of a strategy and vision for the plan, as well as by public consultation.
The submission form and associated guidance can be found via the link below:
New Local Plan
Notice of Roadworks: Main Road
What will Suffolk Highways be doing?
- Highways improvements, including pavement improvements, cycleway upgrades, and carriageway resurfacing.
Where will Suffolk Highways be doing it?
- Main Road, Martlesham, heading eastbound between A12 and Nunn Close.
What are the dates of the works?
- Monday 19 October 2026 to Friday 26 February 2027
What traffic management will be in place?
- To ensure the safety of road users and our workforce, a one-way closure of Main Road (from Felixstowe Road towards the A12) will be in place 24/7 for the duration of Phase 1 works. During this phase, traffic will still be able to travel from A12 towards Felixstowe Road only.
- A full overnight closure will also be required, on two occasions to complete carriageway resurfacing. However, further details will be provided once a date has been confirmed for this.
What is the diversion route?
- Phase 1 - Main Road, The Street, Top Street, B1438, A12 Southbound. Not vice versa.
- Felixstowe Road, Martlesham will also be closed (from its junction with Main Road for 100 metres in a southerly direction) between 15 February to 26 February 2027. The diversion route for these works will be as follows: Felixstowe Road, Anson Road, A12 Northbound, Main Road and vice versa. Further details will be communicated ahead of the closure.
What do I need to know about the temporary road closure?
- Road closures are sometimes essential for the safety of road users and our operatives. If you are based within the closure, we will maintain access where possible. However, there may be times when access is delayed or restricted. Please plan your journeys accordingly and speak to operatives on-site if you require further information.
The latest updates on our works can be found on the One.Network website.
Works were not carried out as advised. What is happening?
Sometimes Suffolk Highways are unable to complete their works by the dates advised as planned. This could be due to poor weather, or because of a variety of other reasons often beyond our control.
If we need to make major changes to our works dates, we will update the information signs on site. You will also receive another letter advising of the new date in advance.
How do I contact Suffolk Highways?
If you need more information, please call Suffolk Highways on 0345 606 6171 or email customer.services@suffolk.gov.uk
Shopper Service connecting Melton and Woodbridge to Martlesham Retail Park
Key Details of the Service:
Launch Date: Thursday, 3rd September 2026
Operating Days: Every Thursday and Friday (excluding public holidays)
Outward pick-up:
- Melton Chapel: 11:05
- Hall Farm Bus Stop (Woods Lane): 11:07
- Bredfield Rd Bus Stop (Woods Lane): 11:09
- Warwick Ave Bus Stop (Bredfield Rd): 11:11
- The Grove Bus Stop (Pytches Rd): 11:13
- Woodbridge Turban Centre: 11:16
- Hillyfields Bus Stop (Warren Hill Rd): 11:20
- Claire Ave (Old Barrack Rd): 11:21
- Deben Seal/Duke of York Bus Stop (Old Barrack Rd): 11:23
- Crown Point Bus Stop (Main Rd): 11:28
- Black Tiles Bus Stop (Main Rd): 11:30
- Martlesham Tesco: 11:35
Return pick-up:
- Martlesham Tesco: 13:40
- Black Tiles Bus Stop (Main Rd): 13:45
- Crown Point Bus Stop (Main Rd): 13:47
- Duke of York Bus Stop( Old Barrack Rd): 13:52
- Claire Ave (Old Barrack Rd): 13:54
- Hillyfields Bus Stop (Warren Hill Rd): 13:55
- Woodbridge Turban Centre: 13:59
- The Grove Bus Stop (Pytches Rd): 14:02
- Warwick Ave Bus Stop (Bredfield Rd): 14:04
- Bredfield Rd Bus Stop (Woods Lane): 14:06
- Hall Farm Bus Stop (Woods Lane): 14:08
- Melton Chapel: 14:10
New Shopper Bus Service Connecting Melton and Woodbridge to Martlesham Retail Park Arriving Soon
A new community-focused shopper service is set to start later this year, making shopping trips easier and more independent for local residents.
Officially starting on Thursday, 3rd of September the shopper service will provide a dependable bus route for passengers, connecting Melton, Woodbridge and Martlesham to Martlesham retail park.
Service Details & Timetable
The dedicated service will run every Thursday and Friday (excluding public holidays):
- Departing Melton Chapel: 11:05 AM
- Route: Stopping at various designated pick-up points across Melton, Woodbridge (including the Turban Centre) and Martlesham.
- Arriving at Martlesham Tesco: 11:35 AM (a convenient 30-minute journey).
In direct response to feedback from residents aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation, the bus will depart Tesco for its return journey two hours after arrival (following the reverse drop off route). This then gives passengers ample time to do their weekly food shop, browse the retail park, meet up with friends for a coffee, and enjoy a relaxed outing without the stress of rushed travel.
Accessible for Everyone
The shopper service will be using one of CATS’ accessible minibuses that features a rear tail-lift comfortably and easily accommodate wheelchair passengers and those with limited mobility. However, the service is there to be used by all passengers, regardless of mobility and age. Pre-booking for wheelchairs advisable to guarantee their place.
The service will be operated in partnership by Coastal Accessible Transport Service (CATS), Melton Parish Council, Woodbridge Town Council, Martlesham Parish Council and Suffolk County Council.
For further press information, please contact: Benjamin Gulliford | Email: cats.admin@cats-paws.co.uk | 01728 635934 | CATS PAWS
Suffolk Police and Crime Panel
The 2025/26 annual report for the Suffolk Police and Crime Panel is now available and provides an overview of the Panel's work over the last year.
Community Hall Car Park
In response to concerns raised by our residents about the limited availability of disabled parking spaces at Martlesham Community Hall. We are please to confirm that additional bays are now in place.
Roadworks in Martlesham
There are a number of roadworks either ongoing or due to take place in Martlesham:
- Ongoing works on Barrack Square - estimated completion - 5th October
- Eagle Way - from 10th August to 4th September
- Section of A12 between the Tesco and Aldi roundabouts - 18th August at 20:00 to 19th August at 3:00
For more information and updates please visit the Cadent and One Network websites.
Bin Stickers
East Suffolk Council and the Suffolk Waste Partnership have consulted Suffolk Sight to design and develop a set of stickers for Better Recycling bins to help the visually-impaired distinguish different waste & recycling bins.
The stickers, that can be placed on each type of bin lid, are now available on request by contacting Customer Services at customerservices@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or by phone on 0333 016 2000
A sticker can be placed on each of your recycling and food bins to help you identify the type of bin and therefore what you can put in it.
On the top left-hand corner of each sticker is a raised yellow shape to feel and help you identify the waste type.
- The sticker with the raised yellow circle should be placed on your new outdoor grey food container.
- The sticker with the raised yellow square should be placed on your new green lidded bin for paper and card recycling.
- The sticker with the raised yellow triangle should be placed on your blue lidded bin for all other recycling including tins, cartons, glass bottles and jars, cartons and plastic containers, trays and film.
Accessibility at Ipswich Hospital
Following feedback from Suffolk Coastal Disability Forum, the East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust have updated their website to highlight the ways Blue Badge holders can register with their parking operator.
Please see the link for Parking at Ipswich Hospital and for more information at getting to the hospital please visit their website
QR Codes on Litter Bins around Martlesham
You may have noticed QR codes popping up on litter bins across Martlesham.
Kindly funded by East Suffolk Services Ltd, these stickers allow you quickly report bins that are full before the next collection date.
Thank you to our lovely volunteers for helping to pop them out. This is an important step in addressing litter in our area.
🌟Lets keep the magic in Martlesham and help keep our community tidy 🌟
Grant Presentations
We are pleased to share that we awarded nine grants for 2025/26 to groups in our community. These were presented at our Annual Parish Meeting on the 25th March.
Successful applicants were:
- Home Start - Equipment and training - £1000
- Headway Suffolk - To support people living in Martlesham who have a neurological condition - £500
- Martlesham Primary Academy - Outdoor play equipment - £3000
- Martlesham Brass - Support to fund a visit from a professional brass musician. They will conduct a workshop for all members and perform with the band in a concert for the 30th birthday celebrations - £500
- Martlesham Conservation Group - Public liability insurance - £233.49
- Martlesham in Bloom - Summer containers in the square. 30th anniversary project and supporting ongoing work in the community areas - £300
- Martlesham Heath Aviation Society - Provision of portable toilets for their 2026 open day - £400
- Martlesham Bowls Club - Renovation of bowls green - £1000
- Suffolk Wildlife Trust - Trust engagement events - £510
We are committed to supporting the local groups, schools and charities that have a positive impact on Martlesham and we will keep you informed on when the applications will reopen for this year.
Impersonation Alert
We have been made aware of several incidents in the Martlesham area involving three men in a Citroen van, claiming to be from the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. They have been offering "free" electrical checks on solar panels.
The persons involved were not wearing uniform and did not show any Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Identification. These incidents have been reported to the police.
Please note:
- All Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service personnel always carry an ID card, even when not in uniform
- Every ID card includes a verification number on the back, which you can call to confirm the person's identity
- If you are unsure, do not allow anyone into your home
If you encounter anyone suspicious, please report it to Suffolk Police via 101 or 999 in an emergency
Felixstowe Road, Safety Concerns – Parish Council Update
The Felixstowe Road, part of the National Cycle Network Route 1 (NCN1) through Martlesham, has become so dangerous it is seldom used by walkers and cyclists. High traffic volumes and speeding make it a serious safety risk for walkers and cyclists alike.
One of our parish councillors, who is visually impaired, has highlighted how difficult it is to navigate this stretch safely on foot.
“The pavement alongside Felixstowe Road is very narrow in places and when walking with my guide dog, I feel at risk of passing traffic hitting me as it goes past a great speed. When attempting to cross Felixstowe Road during the day, there is so much traffic that is travelling in excess of the 30 mph speed limit that I feel in mortal danger when crossing this very busy road. I urge motorists to consider the road speed limit, and drive to the prevailing road conditions in a safe and measured way.”
Thanks to the dedication of our Community Speed Watch volunteers, who regularly monitor speeds and carry out traffic counts, we have clear evidence of the problem; and a recent traffic survey, conducted by Suffolk Highways has confirmed these findings. This survey was requested by County Councillor Patti Mulcahy, whose support has helped to keep safety concerns in the spotlight. This data showed:
1. Over 6,000 vehicle movements per day along this stretch of NCN1, and
2. An 85th percentile speed of 35 mph, despite the posted 30 mph limit.
These figures underline the serious safety risks faced by anyone attempting to walk or cycle along the route.
The parish council continues to press Suffolk County Council for practical improvements to maintain this route as an active transport corridor. Residents who walk, cycle, or drive along the Felixstowe Road are encouraged to share their observations, near-misses, or suggestions with the parish council —every report strengthens the case for action.
And once again, a huge thank you to our Speed Watch volunteers, whose dedication helps make our roads safer. Their ongoing work provides independent, detailed data to support safety improvements.
To become a community Speed Watch volunteer or to share your road safety concerns please get in touch with the Parish Council via our Contact Us page.