Furious residents fearing a killer crash have built a barricade across their street because it has become a ‘rat run’ for selfish drivers.

Locals in Ipswich have stacked fence panels, wooden pallets and safety barriers to block the road completely, without the permission of the council.

Originally there was relief when highways chiefs decided to introduce a ‘no entry except for access’ system and installed giant planters at the end of Cavendish Street.

But within weeks, locals claim many motorists were ignoring it and continuing to use the street as a short-cut, after bollards installed between planters were removed by a ‘gang’.

And today many residents are still furious that the situation has not been resolved, blaming Suffolk County Council for the failings, and say ‘life is much better’ for the vigilante road blocking.

Local music teacher Ellie O’Grady, 35, told MailOnline: ‘The original barriers have been ruined but something had to be done. It was becoming a very dangerous road and in rush hour you couldn’t park.’

Locals in Ipswich have stacked fence panels, wooden pallets and safety barriers to block the road completely, without the permission of the council 

 Pictured: Ellie O’Grady, a 35-year-old music teacher, said ‘something had to be done’ about irresponsible drivers using the road

She added: ‘The latest problems began when some drivers tried to force their way through – commercial vehicles literally rammed the obstructions out of the way.’ 

Another resident said: ‘There are a lot of kids out playing on the street and the traffic is dangerous. 

‘Some people are determined to stop all cars and the extra barricades blocking the road completely appeared overnight night several months ago.

‘No-one knows who put them there but it was clear that they felt they had the support of residents and could take matters into their own hands.

‘Life is much better now – there are no speeding cars forcing their way along what is a narrow street.’

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Another resident, Laurence Ruffles, 48, supported the new installation, saying that for the sake of children’s safety in the road, other Ipswich locals having to add ‘a few extra minutes’ to their journeys is worth it.

However, Christine Goddard, 69, who lives just 100 feet from the barricade expressed concern about the possible consequences of the blockage.

She said: ‘I am worried because the emergency services like the fire brigade or ambulance may be blocked by the stuff there and take much longer to get here.

‘In some situations every second counts and the other big problem with things like this is how to enforce it.’

Ms Goddard added the new barricade ‘is a terrible eyesore – speed humps would have been a better idea’. 

The barricade (pictured) was apparently put up overnight some months ago by a vigilante Cavendish Street resident 

However, some locals are concerned that the barricade (pictured) could stop emergency vehicles responding as quickly as they can in the city

Pictured: The boxes either side of the barrier have been used as a rubbish dump by some locals 

Laurence Ruffles (pictured), 48, supported the new installation saying that it was worth it for the sake of children’s safety

John Henderson, 68, revealed that previously the council had installed a post which could be removed to allow emergency vehicles access to the street, but claimed it was ‘ripped out’ one night by ‘a gang of blokes’.

He continued: ‘Since the road has been narrowed and marked no access for through traffic the problem has been eased – but now the whole barrier is just an eyesore with the planters filled with rubbish and bottles.’

Another local, Tony Dennison, said the barrier has ‘really split the community’ and while someone clearly took it upon themselves to build the blockage, many have been pulling it back apart.

Ipswich Borough Councillor George Lankester slammed the local highway authority’s inaction.

He said that while Suffolk County Council are responsible for highways, the borough council is in consultation with it.

An Ipswich Borough councillor slammed the local county council for its inaction across two years, saying their failure to find a solution was to blame for the new barrier (pictured)

Previously, a post was installed between the two planters (pictured, left) which form the ends of the new barricade, but this was apparently removed by a ‘gang’ in 2022

Christine Goddard (pictured), 69, who lives just 100 feet from the barricade, said she was concerned the barrier could block emergency services

‘The county council has already announced the road will be permanently closed, following a re-surveying of residents and the successful trial period,’ he added.

He blamed the lack of an acceptable plan to close the road on the barricade being built, adding that ‘nothing had happened’ since the county council launched a consultation on the area’s ‘rat runs’ in 2022. 

Mr Lankester said: ‘The trial went well despite some teething problems – vandalism to the temporary closure, and problems for refuse vehicles – and I spoke to many residents during this time and reported on their feedback to the county council.

‘In January this year we were told that 73% of residents had replied to a questionnaire in favour of keeping it permanently. We were told back in April that a scheme would be designed and installed ‘later in the year’.

‘I am hugely disappointed that in all this time no proposals have been made by the county council to install an improved permanent fixture that is not an embarrassment. Elsewhere in the county we have seen such road closures made permanent through initiatives that blend into the street scene and make good use of flowers and wildlife.

‘People living in Cavendish Street will be rightfully confused as to why they haven’t been treated in the same way by the county council – I have consistently raised residents’ concerns to the county council and urged them to get on with the process.

‘I will be writing to the county council again, asking them why residents do not appear to be a priority. It has been a very frustrating process to witness but the closure – apart from the barricade – has made a significant and positive difference to the lives of those who live there.’

A Suffolk Highways spokesman said: ‘Four years ago the council implemented a Traffic Regulation Order on the street to restrict motorised traffic.

‘The area has since been subject to damage and we are working on a permanent solution to limit restricted vehicles from using the area and causing further damage.’