Residents on the Acle Straight stretch speak about safety

The road connecting Acle and Great Yarmouth has become a talking point over ways to improve safety as in recent years it has become an accident hotspot.

However, there is much disagreement over what the best solution would be to keep drivers safe.

Just last week senior councillors welcomed proposals to put speed cameras up and have the speed limit reduced from 60mph to 50mph.

Sandra Holmes has lived in her home (pictured) on the Acle Straight for 41 years (Image: Bruno Brown)

However it is something which Sandra Holmes, who has lived in her red brick house just before Great Yarmouth on the Acle Straight for 41 years, disagrees with.

“I have got a solution and I think about it at night time when I am trying to sleep.

"The whole while I can hear speeding drivers whizzing past at stupid times, but I need my window open as I need the cool air to sleep.

"I think we need speed patrol police delegated to this stretch of road, specifically designated to go up and down and survey the road constantly," Mrs Holmes said.

"It would be far cheaper than putting cameras along the road, digging it up, building lanes, which would cost a fortune.

"All the police do is drive around and wait to be called. But if they were designated to this stretch of the road they would already be here."

Dawn White has lived in the white house (pictured) and owned Stracey Arms Mill Shop & Tea Rooms for eight years (Image: Bruno Brown)

But Dawn White, who lives in front of her business, the Stracey Arms Mill Shop & Tea Rooms, believes the road does need speed cameras.

READ MORE: A47 Acle Straight set for new speed limit and enforcement cameras

She said: " People said to me when I was opening up that people won’t come here because the road junction is too dangerous, but people do come.

"And from living here for eight years now, and therefore seeing many many accidents, I do believe that most incidents on this road are cases of driver error.

"I have always said that the road needs cameras, but to stop people from driving quite so badly, and without consideration, we need them now more than ever."

Police attend a fatal crash on the Acle Straight (Image: Mike Page)

Another resident, who wished to remain unnamed and lives just 1.5 miles away from the cafe, said: "I think more than often crashes are caused by dangerous drivers, the amount of idiots who do crazy overtakes is just unbelievable.

"People also get distracted by the cattle, horses and animals on the field when they are driving.

"They are very pretty but people should focus on the road and drive carefully so I think speed cameras will slow people down at the very least."

READ MORE: New speed limit on A47 Acle Straight 'worth it' if lives are saved, leaders say

National Highways has sent letters inviting organisations, businesses or individuals to have their say on the proposals for a 50mph speed limit and speed camera installation.

The Acle Straight (Image: Sonya Duncan) Between 2017 and 2021 there were 54 crashes on the road, with 138 casualties reported.

Rupert Lowe, MP for Great Yarmouth, said for the town to flourish the Acle Straight needs to be sorted out.

"Of course dualling the road has to be the ultimate aim, but there have to be short-term solutions.

"I pushed for this during the campaign and after, as it will undoubtedly save lives and reduce accidents. Average speed cameras are key, and will reduce delays for all using the road."

The Acle Straight (Image: Mike Page)