Signs urging motorists to slow down while driving through Tattingstone Heath are to be removed within the next two weeks.

Tired and angry residents living in villages along the A137, including Tattingstone and Brantham, which is being used as a diversion route while work is being carried out on the A12, put up the 'please respect our village', and 30mph signs in addition to the legal highway speed limit signs.

But concerns have been raised at the legality, and safety to motorists regarding the passive aggressive messages and council workman have been told to take them down. However, they can only remove signs along the public highway and not on prove land.

"Suffolk Highways has raised the order for our teams to attend to clear the signs," said a county council spokeswoman. "Where signs have been placed along the highway, which could potentially cause visibility issues or distraction to road users, we are required to removed them."

Cars diverted through Tattingstone (Picture credit: Shotley peninsula Nub News)

Nub New reported last week how residents with homes facing the A137 were suffering sleepless nights due to the noise of motorists, which they claim have been speeding through the hamlet, and lottery drivers thundering over loose manhole covers.

It is understood Suffolk Highways engineers have been out to try and quieten the drain covers but the increased traffic due to diversions is still causing issues.

Simon Harley, county councillor for the peninsula admitted he was not sure what was going on, although he too had heard the traffic.

Cllr Harley said: "I have been away for the last 12 days so am just catching up. I wasn't aware of any resident made signs but will look into this.

"It seems these are essential for work until about September on the A12 to replace barriers and resurface but in order to do this traffic has to be re-routed up the A137 although it is week day night time closures, but this obviously has most effect on those who live on the A137 with lorries thundering past at night and I can understand that they are very upset about it. I can hear the increased traffic from my house which is some way away."

Full story: Sleep deprived villagers feel ignored

Officials will not be allowed on private land (Picture credit: Shotley peninsula Nub News)