KIRKLEY residents and some Waveney district councillors have hit out at what they regard as the latest traffic chaos to have hit their streets.

They say roadworks caused major problems at the weekend, with people reporting several near-misses and a boy almost being knocked off his bike.

Yvonne Cherry, Labour councillor for Kirkley ward, was joined on Sunday by members of the Waveney constituency party and councillor Malcolm Cherry at a meeting of local residents to discuss their concerns and issues.

'The problem of traffic using Beaconsfield Road and Clifton Road as a major cut-through for London Road South was high on their list of concerns,' said Mr Cherry.

Of particular concern was a build-up of traffic using residential streets as rat-runs.

'We were able to see their problem first hand for ourselves as we came across numerous road closure signs: there was not one single diversion sign visible,' he added.

Parts of London Road South had been closed off at Kirkley, and Carlton Road was closed except for access to properties.

'Residents and motorists alike travelling in and around the Kirkley area were given another grim reminder of the horrendous effect of major road maintenance work being carried out by Suffolk Highways Authority and Anglian Water,' he said.