The apology to the people of Benacre comes as a major £63m flood defence scheme remains "on track" as works continue to safeguard the A12 and protect dozens of homes as well as hundreds of acres of farmland.

The Benacre and Kessingland Managed Realignment Scheme is taking place as part of a flood relief and drainage project around the A12, protecting more than 200 homes and businesses and 450 hectares of farmland south of Lowestoft.

The project - which protects the A12 against a one-in-200 year tidal flooding event for the next 50 years - also sees 82ha of grazing land transformed into intertidal mud flats and saltmarsh.

The Benacre and Kessingland Managed Realignment Scheme aims to protect a section of the heritage coast. Image: Edward Vere Nicholl) (Image: Edward Vere Nicholl)

It will also see two new pumping stations, drains and clay embankments constructed between the A12 and the coast as the current pumping station and valley is at significant risk from the ongoing erosion of the beach.

But with the works ongoing, beleaguered homeowners have been left facing a "dangerous" situation - with rural roads in Benacre described as being "in a terrible state."

Vehicles have been damaged, as the recent bad weather combined with a large number of lorries travelling on the single-track roads each day has left motorists manoeuvring around "a maze" of crater-size potholes during their journeys.

Beleaguered homeowners living on The Street in Benacre have hit out at the dangerous state their road has been left in - with numerous huge potholes appearing, as they call for action. Image: Caz Collis (Image: Caz Collis)

More than 20 separate reports of "huge" potholes appearing along the whole stretch of The Street and nearby Locks Lane in Benacre have been reported to Suffolk County Council.

Beleaguered homeowners living on The Street in Benacre have hit out at the dangerous state their road has been left in - with numerous huge potholes appearing, as they call for action. Image: Caz Collis (Image: Caz Collis)

With locals calling for action, and for repairs to take place, a council spokesman said: "We would like to apologise to the local residents who are experiencing higher numbers of HGVs due to the construction of the Benacre and Kessingland Flood Management Project.

"The higher number of HGVs has been causing more potholes to form on local roads, and Suffolk Highways have been working with The Water Management Alliance - the lead project partner, managing the work at the project - to deliver short term pothole repairs through the first half of 2026.

"A longer term solution to improve the road surface is being planned, and can be implemented in the summer once the peak of HGV movements has passed."

With the Benacre and Kessingland Flood Risk Management Project described by the county council as "a vital investment in Suffolk’s future," it is supported by local communities, local authorities, the Environment Agency, DEFRA, Sizewell C and local landowners.

The council confirmed that the project remains on schedule and within the planned budget.

The county council spokesman added: "The Benacre and Kessingland Flood Risk Management Project is on track, and we are pleased with the progress so far.

"Currently, we are in the process of constructing new embankments on site, which is scheduled to continue into the summer months.

"Unfortunately, this process requires a lot of HGV traffic to and from the site, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused to local residents during this time."

© Eastern Daily Press