Due to the development of various energy projects in the East Suffolk region, including the Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station, the various wind-farm projects and construction of vast substations, there are many rights of way and permissive paths that are being blocked up or diverted, either temporarily or permanently. The extent of these projects encompasses the coastal area bounded by Southwold in the North to Aldeburgh in the south with the western boundary of the works predominantly the A12 trunk road. The works are expected to last between 10 and 20 years bringing long term hindrance for both walkers and hikers plus similar issues for road users. The map below details the huge scale of the various projects that are affecting this region.
As the new year of 2026 gets under way, the destruction of the countryside continues unabated, the amount of diverted and blocked up paths increases and the traffic and roadworks make a nightmare for navigation of what used to be simple journeys. In addition, delays to public transport services result in missed or late appointments and connections. There are miles of Heras fencing with warnings that CCTV is in Operation and No Unauthorised Access. This is only going to get a lot worse and is sending a very clear message to anyone thinking of visiting the area - stay away.
The Sizewell C (SZC) preparation has entailed a vast area that has been cleared of all wildlife and vegetation, resulting in a landscape that resembles a war-zone. This area stretches from the coast all the way through to the A12 trunk road. In addition, trees and hedgerows across a wide area of the Suffolk Coastal region have been cut down and removed. Some 27,000+ trees have been felled, including centuries old oaks much to the dismay of a lot of local people. Despite protests, this continues to happen. For the hapless wanderer who passes through this landscape, the emotions are ones of heartbreak, anger and helplessness in the face of Corporate and Governmental adversity. Many public rights of way now have monitoring electronics added to them, and in some areas monitoring 'robots' have been employed to issue warnings for anyone who comes too close. This type of surveillance gives the area the feel of being in an autocratic state.
Due to the enormity of the changes that are affecting public rights of way, it is getting increasingly difficult to provide up-to-date information. There is little public information provided in advance and little in the way of notices informing of the blocked up or diverted paths until it is encountered. A typical example is where the England Coast Path has been blocked up along the coastal section in front of the works site. Although diversion signage is now in place at Sizewell Gap, Minsmere Sluice and Dunwich Heath, there is nothing to warn walkers using the beach about the blockage. and the diversion is not mentioned on the The diversion is finally added to the National Trail Website .
It should be noted that public notices about blocking up and diversion of Public Rights of Way (PRoWs) do not appear on East Suffolk Council Rights of Way page. Sizewell C (SZC) does offer a Works Tracker Page although this never seems to be up-to-date. This does offer the ability to sign up for email alerts on a variety of works being undertaken including Public Rights of Way. Despite having signed up to this from the very start, we here at Griffmonster Walks have yet to receive a single alert for a PRoW notice, even after encountering blocked up and rerouted footpaths during this time. Having trawled through the underlying code of the SZC works tracker we have managed to find a feed which is now incorporated into the East Suffolk Works Tracker page. This appears to be dominated by traffic alerts rather than PRoW alerts but it may be useful for anyone driving in the area. It is worth warning that the feed can be temperamental and often fails to get displayed on the page. If this is the case, hard refresh the page.
Scottish Power Renewables, who are currently undertaking the East Anglia ONE and TWO north offshore wind-farm development have published details of their blocking up and diversions in the specific legislative document which then refer to external documents of the plans (see sections Legislation Links and Windfarm Associated Documents on this page). There is also a East Anglia TWO And ONE North Project Activity web page that has a map of the current activities. However, once again it seems to be specific to traffic and certainly does not provide key information about any of the known blocked up and diverted PRoWs.
It is therefore difficult to provide full up-to-date details of Public Rights of Way that have been blocked up or diverted for the walks within the Suffolk Coastal area that are featured on this site. We sympathise with those who have followed walks only to discover paths blocked or diverted resulting in additional mileage to undertake or having to turn back the way they came. We are endeavouring to keep the details on affected walks up-to-date but when the relevant documentation and public notices are not available this makes it a thankless task where we have to get out and walk each route on a regular basis. Primarily we are only verifying the coastal area paths although additional walks further afield are also occasionally validated.
Where routes are known to have been blocked, the Walk Pages are now added to a blocked collection - a full list can be found by searching the blocked collection. Similarly, where routes are known to have long term diversions in place, these are added to a diversion collection,. It should be noted that these are the only ones we know about from walking the paths, therefore it is probably not a complete list. There is no definitive list available, as far as we know, from either East Suffolk Council or the corporate bodies responsible for these changes.
If and when any additional information is found on upcoming footpath diversions we will post this on our Facebook Page as well as including it within this page.
Another tree bites the dust
Known Diversions
King Charles III England Coast Path/Suffolk Coast Path at Sizewell (See location on map)
This has been rerouted in front of the site proposed for the new Power Stations, which lies north of the existing Power Stations. The diverted route runs closer to the beach, skirting to edge of the dunes, with fencing placed to the landward side of the path. The beach is still available as an alternative and generally there is plenty of sand at low tide. The northern side of this diversion is affected by constant erosion and this leaves the path vulnerable during high spring tides and storm surges. It is advisable to check the tide times and heights before setting out along this section. (refer to Minsmere Sluice tide times). There are no tide time notices along this section or warnings about the erosion. Proceed with care.
The England Coast Path has agreed with the SZC contractor, EDF, that once a sea wall has been constructed the path will be rerouted along the top of this. It is uncertain of the timescale to implement this or whether EDF will honour this agreement. It has also been documented that the path will be inaccessible if and when works are undertaken on the beach. In this case, assuming bridleway 19 is blocked up as per the consultation documentation, the path will be rerouted down to the B1122, then to the village of Eastbridge returning to the coast at Minsmere sluice, a total distance of just under 6 miles compared to the 2 mile distance directly up the coast to the sluice. It should be noted that the path from Eastbridge to the sluice can become inaccessible during Winter due to flooding and excessively muddy conditions.
2026 LATEST! The England Coast Path and the beach area will be blocked up during weekdays and over night during weekends from 16th February 2026 until 31st March 2026. Information signage has been added at Sizewell, Minsmere Sluice and Dunwich Heath. This will necessitate the diversion using Sandy Lane, Leiston Common, Sizewell Belts, Bridleway 19, then through Eastbridge village and onto Dunwich Heath where it rejoins the official coast path route. This is more in keeping with the original Sandlings Route. The alternative route has been publicised with the map detailed below. This will be 5.6 mile hike around the west side of Minsmere as opposed to the 3.2 mile coastal route. Note that Bridleway 19 is a track through the building site with nature devastated on either side and a route that most local folk tend to avoid. This route also does not allow dogs across the section of Sizewell Belts that is highlighted in yellow on the map - the section can become marshy and muddy during periods of rain and often has cattle in it.
This diversion will make the Suffolk Coast Path section of the England Coast Path predominantly inland walking rather than coast walking. The only truly coastal sections being the urban area around Lowestoft, Kessingland to Benacre Broad, Sizewell to Aldeburgh - which may yet have inland diversions due to wind farm construction, and Shingle Street to East Street. The rest is either inland or estuary. It can no longer truly be referred to as a Coast Path and Suffolk is the only county on the England Coast Path route to attain such a derisory status of its Coast Path. This status may change when recommended routes between Southwold and Pakefield are implemented albeit the original route will still be the principle alternative when adverse sea conditions threaten the coastline. A PDF copy of the diversion map can be downloaded from the SZC Works Tracker page (more details here).
There are waymarkers and notices along the diversion route including a warning notice against diverting down footpath 20 from Eastbridge to Minsmere Sluice, where it can become flooded and very muddy during the winter months. This is true, the path can be quite inaccessible after periods of rain, although, as of 7th March 2026, we walked this fairly easily - avoid going through to the chapel ruins where the exit on the sluice side is very muddy. It is best when heading in the sluice direction to turn left at the gate to the ruins, then follow this path which leads around to the right and follows the Minsmere River down to the sluice.
Even though the notices that have been placed at Sizewell Beach, Minsmere and Dunwich Heath all clearly state that both Coast Path and the Beach will be blocked up during weekdays until the end of March, on Friday, 6th March I walked the full extent of the beach from Sizewell to Dunwich Heath. There is nothing blocking the beach route at present and providing the state of the tide allows, it is easily passable. This may well change in the near future and the position where the works are being undertaken is on the north side of the SZC site, so it would be a lengthy walk if the beach does get blocked up.
Beach Closure UpdateA notice at Sizewell has appeared and this indicates that the beach will be closed from 16 March through until the 31st March (see SZC Works Tracker page. This information is not included on the National Trails Website.
The diversion route when the beach and footpath is blocked up during the first three months of 2026The north end of the construction site where high tides and storm surges relentlessly erode the dunesThis is an image from directly in front of the construction site. The public footpath follows the fence, and there is little between the path and the beach. This was taken the day after Storm Benjamin on 24th October 2025This is the scene of the Coastpath in front of the SZC build during a recent storm surge. The path is covered with water. It should be noted that there are no warnings about such inundation, or tide times, on either the approaches from north or south. This is hazardous for anyone walking the path. (Photo courtesy of TASC Fascebook Group)
Sandlings Long Distance Path
This has currently been rerouted along the coast, following the England Coast Path. NOTE: this will be blocked up for the first 3 months of 2026 as per the England Coast Path, see above for details. The original route of the trail navigated from Sizewell village, up to Leiston Common, across Sizewell Belts, through Kenton Hill woods and onto Eastbridge via Bridleway 19. This is still currently accessible although there are patrolled and locked metal gates along Bridleway 19 where you have to ask permission from the gate patrols (sometimes referred to as banksmen) to continue along the right-of-way. Either side of this lane, the land is completely devastated. The lane will eventually be blocked up completely although timescales have not been issued about when this will occur.
The later revised route of the Sandlings navigated from the coast, through Goose Hill, Kenton Hills and onwards to Eastbridge is permanently blocked up at the entrance to Goose Hill from the coast.
The devastated landscape along the Eastbridge Lane (Bridleway 19)
The Sandlings section between Friston and Coldfair Green now has a diversion in place along the bridleway (See location on map). A surfaced path has been added at the beginning of the bridleway on the Coldfair end. This runs parallel to the road for 100 metres, then turns and makes a crossing at the new haul road where there is a banksman in place . This haul road is very busy with lorries throughout the day. This then leads back to the bridleway following the course of the haul road. The point at which the diversion rejoins the bridleway coincides with the junction of the Knodishall E-354/001 bridleway. This bridleway leads across the haul road and continues on its original course. There are banksmen in attendance but seem completely oblivious to people traipsing across the haul road - take extra care. The initial part of this is also very waterlogged and muddy and it is advisable to use the Heras fencing as support when traversing this.
The Public Right of Way (E-354/003) when coming from the Friston direction, diverges at the bend in the bridleway to lead via Knodishall Common into Coldfair Green, is now completely blocked up by the Heras fencing (See location on map). There is no signage for this blockage even though the original waymarkers direct to the blockage. Although the Sandlings route does not go into the hamlet itself, this footpath is regularly used by local people to walk between Coldfair Green and Friston. After months of being completely blocked up with Heras fencing, this footpath now has been reinstated with a Heras fence route that leads across the haul road. this is a little further down from the bend in the bridleway.
Another view along Bridleway 19
Other known path issues
In general, footpaths are being blocked up and diverted by both the Sizewell C project and the multiple wind-farm projects with little or no public notice. In addition, it seems that many local landowners are also not reinstating Public Rights of Way across their fields. This has been noticeable since the various projects have started and one would guess that they see the opportunity of extinguishing paths just because the projects appear to get away with it without any culpability.
During the last few years I have made multiple complaints to the Suffolk Council about rights of way issues. The council offers a dedicated web page where Public Right of Way issues can be logged where reports and photos can be logged. In cases where it is the landlords responsibility, the council do respond to say that the landowner has been notified, but in many cases the landowner ignores the request to reinstate and it takes a lot of persistence to obtain a positive result. This is, without a doubt, the biggest loss of Public Rights of Way that I have ever experienced in my life, and there appears to be no method to petition against what is happening. Having stated this, a Parliamentary Petition has now been set up to petition for the creation of a coordination body for Nationally Significant Energy Projects that would assess the cumulative impacts of multiple projects on an area. This would address the lack of overall management of such multiple projects that is devastating East Suffolk. Please take the time to sign this if you feel the same way.
Another view along Bridleway 19
Specific known path issues
The footpath to Reckham pits Woodland (See location on map) from Sandy Lane is fenced off. This was originally the temporary Heras fencing, however permanent metal fencing has now been erected indicating that this footpath has been extinguished for good. Admittedly this was just a permissive path, but was well used by local people. The alternative is to follow the track around the perimeter of the meadow. There is a five bar gate to pass through but this is never locked. This is the Sandy Lane that leads off of Lovers Lane by Common Farm.
The footpath linking Leiston town to the ruins of Leiston Abbey (Footpath 10) (See location on map) is now blocked up where the development of the new railway line is being undertaken. There are now notices in place and a temporary path has been added that leads down to Abbey Road and onto Abbey Lane where the path can be picked up again. The track that links Abbey Lane to the Abbey ruins and is part of footpath 10 is currently in a bad condition where, it would appear, construction vehicles have used this causing rutting and thick mud in places.
Abbey Lane blocked up for pedestrians As of Saturday 7th March both Abbey Lane and footpath 10 to the Abbey Ruins have been completely blocked up. This is for SZC works although the work crew policing the blocked up area blamed the council for the lack of notification and PRoW signage. They could not say how long the works would last and are confrontational to any pedestrians wanting to pass through. The only viable alternative is to walk the B1122 which is extremely hazardous with the amount of SZC construction vehicles that use this. It is quite unprecedented that SZC should force pedestrians to use this road to walk between Leiston and Theberton, it is an accident waiting to happen. The council have been notified, but ulitmately it is SZC who are carrying out the works and placing pedestrians in danger.
The footpath linking Leiston and Theberton (Footpath 6) (See location on map) is now blocked up before it meets Abbey Lane and a footpath diversion is in place. The diversion signs refer to Westward Ho when walking inward to Leiston. This follows the field boundary and joins the above diversion. You then need to continue up Abbey Lane to link back up with the footpath. This adds adding approximately 0.75 mile to the route. With this footpath now blocked up, the most direct route between Leiston and Theberton is the road. There is no pavement for the majority of this and given the huge amount of works traffic it is hazardous. This was pointed out to EDF in the initial consultation for Sizewell C as pedestrians may choose to take the shortest route. This was completely ignored by EDF.
Footpaths 6 and 10 where the crosses indicate the places this is blocked up including Abbey Lane and the alternative path alongside it that pedestrians are directed down by the signs. As of Saturday 7th March 2026, THESE SIGNS ARE WRONG. Both Abbey Lane and the alternative path are blocked and there are confrontational workmen that will prevent you from proceeding. The only viable alternative to get to Theberton is the B1122 Abbey Road (indicated by the marked line) - this is extremely dangerous as it is the principle route for SZC works traffic but there is no other option. Update: 13th March 2026, the blocking up fences have now been removed. It is not known if this will occur again. One method around the blockage if it does happen again, when walkking up Abbey Lane from Abbey Road, is to clamber through the hedge on the Abbey side of the lane - there are a couple of places where there are gaps in the hedge, and then walk along the edge of the field to join footpath 10. It is uncertain that a similar method can be applied to get through to footpath 6.
Continuing along Footpath 6, this eventually leads out onto the lane that links Abbey Lane with Moat Road in Theberton (See location on map). When the B1122 is blocked up to traffic, these lanes are regularly used by traffic avoiding the blocked up road. This single track lane is the principle route for walkers between Leiston and Theberton, yet there is little room to allow vehicles to pass which has resulted in the verges turning into a bad state. The number of vehicles that use this is a hazard to pedestrians. Most local drivers are considerate but there have been issues with impatient SZC truck and pickup drivers. Signs were placed at the Theberton end of the lane but these have been vandalised, presumably but disgruntled SZC contractors, to change the wording from No Access for SZC Traffic to Access for SZC Traffic.
Vandalised signage that amends the restriction on SZC Traffic - this is supposed to read No Access for SZC Traffic but it would appear that this can be circumvented by vandalising the sign.
The Bridleway (Sandy Lane - E-363/019) that starts at Common Farm, (See location on map) off Lovers Lane in Leiston has two large signs stating NO SZC TRAFFIC. As this is a bridleway, it should not be used by any motorised vehicles, which is also clearly stated on a separate sign that has been here for many years. The heath to the side of this land has all been fenced off and a trackway added within the fenced area for the Works traffic, which can be accessed via the field gate. However, the signs are flagrantly ignored by some of the Sizewell C works traffic, presumably so they can save a few minutes of having to alight from their vehicle and open the gate.
Vehicles are also using the opposite end of this bridleway, where it passes the back of the wind-farm substation and leads down to the Sizewell road. This is cutting up the path which is now muddy in places because of this.
No SZC traffic does not deter SZC drivers from using these routes
Closer to Sizewell, the lane and subsequent bridleway 26 that runs past Sizewell Hall (See location on map) and onto the Thorpness road adjacent to the old railway crossing is now frequently used by works traffic for both SZC and wind-farm traffic. This has resulted in deep ruts and mud in places plus devastation of the hedgerows. Take extra care as some of these vehicles seem to treat it as a rally course and drive at excessive speed.
Similar issues affect other bridleways and byways throughout the area where works traffic for both SZC and Wind-farm operations speed along these tracks and lanes without any regard to pedestrians. One particular instance is Grimsey Lane off of Redhouse Lane in Leiston and Sloe Lane that leads to Billeaford Hall, south of Coldfair Green. These are popular routes for joggers and dog walkers making this is an accident waiting to happen. Take extra care.
Notices placed along the works. There are CCTV cameras everywhere. You cant even have a pee without a security control turning up to check up on you
Bridleway 26 (See location on map) - during wet weather this can have extensive deep floods across the entire width of the bridleway. This has always flooded in the past but was always passable with care, however, the floods have been exacerbated by the wind-farm construction vehicles using the bridleway and are now generally too deep to wade through with boots. To get around this, heading towards Sizewell, the hedgerow on the right has been severely cut back allowing easy access through to the edge of the adjacent pig field. Follow the hedge on the broad area beside the pig field, then climb over a small fence onto the wind-farm land to return to the bridleway at the far end. If there is further flooding ahead, take footpath 27 and cut through onto Sizewell Common where access to the track by Sizewell Hall can be gained. Effectively this is trespass, but it is unlikely that a court will find you will be prosecuted as courts recognize a right to deviate when the landowner has not maintained a public right of way that has an obstruction (see the section PRoW - The Law and Common-Law Principles below).
Sizewell Gap Road, Pavement and Cycle-path (See location on map) - during wet weather there are extensive floods along this road. Traffic passing through these will quite literally soak you from head to foot. In addition, the pavement is very slippery with the mud and sand that is getting sprayed across it from vehicles passing through the flood at speed. On recent occasions we have had to resort to walking in the middle of the road - very hazardous with the amount of SZC construction traffic, but you do not get a soaking. Alternative is to cut through to bridleway 26 at half way cottages (see flooding issues in paragraph above).
Both Buckleswood Road and Harrow Lane on the west side of Leiston now have works access points. With Buckleswood Road this is for the new railway branch linking the existing line to the SZC Construction Area. With Harrow Lane there is access to a SZC storage and office space. In both cases there is a noticeable increase in traffic including heavy vehicles along these once seldom used narrow lanes and care should be taken when walking along them. In addition the verges of both Harrow Lane an Buckleswood Road are a muddy mess made by vehicles attempting to pass each other rather than waiting at the passing points. This is hazardous for pedestrians who are then forced into the road to escape the mud. Similar issues affect Hawthorn Road at the top of Harrow Lane and Pretty Road that leads down into Theberton.
Buckleswood Road (See location on map) in Leiston will be blocked up Monday 2nd March until Sunday 22nd March 2026. The section that will be impassable will be from Wood Farm on the east side to the end of the Works for the proposed new railway on the west side. There are currently diversions in place for motorists but no specific diversion for pedestrians. Following the road diversion on foot would be hazardous due to the nature of the busy Saxmundham road. The best route to follow for pedestrians would be to use the footpath on the right just past Geater's Nurseries as you head west along Buckleswood Road. This crosses the railway to emerge onto Waterloo Avenue, the main road through to Saxmundham. Turn right and follow this until the pavement ends just past the new builds, and before Highbury Cottages. At this point there is a lane on the right with a footpath waymarker. Take this, it crosses the works and leads you back onto Buckleswood road. There is currently no information whether this footpath will be blocked up during this specific period. It was certainly open on the 18th November but the Map Plan for Sizewell C indicates that it will eventually be blocked up together with the path adjacent to Geater's Nurseries.
Buckleswood Road and Westward Ho railway crossings (Leiston Parish Footpaths 3 and 5 - see map below). Both of the railway crossings that provide a pedestrian diversionary route to the above blocking up of Buckleswood Road will now be closed for the duration of 19th January 2026 to the 6th February 2026. In addition footpath 5 will be blocked up from 2nd to 20th February - at no time did I find this extension to the blocking up online and only came across it when attempting to walk the footpath.
Footpath 3 has a public notice attached to the fencing which states that a diversion will be in place from 7th November 2025 to 30th June 2026. The diversion runs parallel to the existing right of way from the railway line going north to the field boundary, which is currently rather waterlogged.
So to be explicit, as of February 18th 2026 Buckleswood Road is open. Footpath 5 is blocked up. As of 28th February, footpath 5 is open. Footpath 3 is open with a small Diversion. No doubt this will all change again.
This highlights the lack of information and the need for clear documentation available to the public where they can access it rather than walking with the expectation of traversing a Right of Way and then finding it blocked up or diverted. When both of the Public Rights of Way AND the Buckleswood Road are blocked up, this only leaves the main road through to Saxmundham as the method pedestrians will have to choose to get around the blocked up road. This is very dangerous as it is a busy road with no pavement and a sharp bend at the point where you have to then cross the railway. As in most cases of these blocking up orders, it would seem that pedestrians are third class citizens who are never catered for when considering blocking up of rights of way. The map below indicates the places blocked up and the only viable pedestrian alternative.
Map shpowing the blocking up points and the only viable alternative for pedestriansApproaching the works access along Harrow Lane
The footpath that links Aldringham village and Aldringham church (See location on map) has had work undertaken where a section of the hedgerow has been removed by the SPR wind-farm contractors. The works seem to change the path every week. After a few weeks where the path was diverted around the field, this diversion has now been removed and the path is back in position. No doubt this will change again in the coming weeks.
The footpath to Aldringham church seems to have work on it every week
Potters Street (See location on map) the lane that leads off of the B1122 between Theberton and Leiston, and which is used by many walks on this site as a means to link Leiston and Eastbridge. This is a designated quiet lane which gives pedestrians and horse riders priority. In recent weeks this appears to have become a bit of a rat run with increased traffic and particularly with aggressive driving by SZC pickup trucks.
Restrictions on the Freedom of Movement for Pedestrians. It should be noted that with the closure of the England Coast Path coastal route, the blocking up of the public rights of way north of Leiston and the blocking up of Buckleswood road, the only method to walk or cycle north of Leiston is to either use Bridleway 19, which is not desirable as it is nothing more than a track through the massive building site, or the main road which is hazardous as there is no pavement. This is nothing short of restricting the freedom of movement to those who do not have a car.
Kelsale Footpaths E344/026 and E344/027 that lead from Butchers Road and across the railway line will be blocked up overnight between 10pm and 6am between Friday 6th March and Monday 9th March, Friday 6th March and Monday 9th March, Friday 13th March and Monday 16th March, Friday 20th March and Monday 23rd March, Tuesday 28th April and Thursday 30th April will possibly other blocking up in for another 6 months. This is for railway works.
Diversions and Confrontation
I have refrained from adding this to the page as I have only had secondary information that this is happening. Having recently personally incurred such an instance, it is now appropriate to highlight this issue which is becoming more prevalent in the area.
Several instances have occurred where blocked up roads and Public Rights of Way have resulted in confrontation with work crews caused by ludicrous alternatives to avoid the blockage. This generally takes the form where pedestrians and cyclists attempting to pass are told by work-crews to follow the indicated road diversion with threats of arrest if attempts are made to evade the blocked up area by any other means. In one instance a cyclists was told to take a 14 mile diversion to get a few hundred yards beyond the blocked up area. Similarly, we at Griffmonster Walks was requested to undertake a 3 mile diversion which entailed having to walk along busy roads with no pavement. These are certainly not reasonable alternatives and are a potential risk for those undertaking such diversions that are specifically for vehicles.
There is clearly an initiative being undertaken by SZC to exclude provision for cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians.
Other Notes
It should also be noted that the area has suffered a huge increase in traffic since these projects began and there are several 30mph mandatory speed limits in place with average speed cameras monitoring the roads. In addition roads are regularly being blocked up with lengthy diversions put in place making it confusing for motorists. At times these diversions conflict with each other resulting in diversion signs pointing in opposite directions at junctions with no indication which sign applies to which diversion.
This is one of the key areas where SZC really confuse motorists. This is the traffic lights by the White Horse Hotel where multiple diversion signs point in conflicting directions.
Pedestrians should take extra caution of the traffic, especially walking the lanes and the B1122 where blocked up paths force no alternative but the road. There are also issues within Leiston town centre where traffic lights are persistently ignored by motorists, particularly at rush hour times, with traffic crossing on red lights at speed. The lights at the High Street/Cross Street crossroads (See location on map) have PELICAN crossing for pedestrians that is effective after the cross street lights turn back from green to red. During the morning rush hour from about 6am to 8am, the traffic streams across here on a red light when the pedestrian crossing is on green preventing pedestrians from crossing. The only way to traverse the road is to find, or force, a way through the stream of vehicles or attempt to strategically cross when another direction has a green light which is hazardous. This is an accident waiting to happen. Police have been informed about this but no enforcement or monitoring has been undertaken. This only adds to the much held feeling by local people that EDF, Sizewell C and the Wind-farm contractors operate above the law, and it is one law for those employed in such projects and another for local people. The most annoying thing was that SZC had indicated that no cars would be allowed onto the construction area and all drivers would have to use the Park and Ride buses. Currently these buses can be seen in abundance in the local area but they all seem to run empty of passengers.
Oh the irony. Centuries old oaks get demolished and a humble piece of bramble is declared an Ecological Sensitive Area
It has been noted that after heavy rains some of the Public Rights of Way along farm tracks used by construction vehicles are becoming very muddy where rain water accumulates, and is then mashed up into a quagmire by heavy construction vehicles. This has got a lot worse over the winter months. Where such obstructions hinder progress you are entitled to find a temporary route around the obstruction, ie using the bordering farmland or woodland. See the section PRoW - The Law and Common-Law Principles below.
An example of the mud-bath created by heavy construction vehicles on a public right of way
The mud-bath shown above is located at the top of footpath 9 (See location on map) that leads from Fitches Lane between Coldfair and Aldringham and follows the fields boundary, and up towards the comms mast. The track is currently being used by the wind-farm construction vehicles and it is a bit of a mess at this point. What has made matters worse is the hedge has been severely trimmed, with debris left in place causing a trip hazard which results in pedestrians falling into the quagmire. This has been getting progressively worse for the past few months and is now completely impassable on foot. The council have been informed of this and they will speak with Scottish Power directly with regard to reinstating this public right of way.
The way to proceed is to cut through the hedgerow just beyond the end of the Heras fencing - a trodden down path through the hedge is now visible created by the many people who regularly walk this route. Continue to walk alongside the field boundary which is a lot drier and undisturbed on this side. At the top, cross over the track and do the same along the crop field edge to avoid more mud, continuing to where the path turns to follow the line of the woodland. There is also a big muddy puddle in the dip by the woodland where vehicles are attempting to avoid it, making the way through impassable for pedestrians. To find a way past, step up to the woodland and make your way as best as possible through the trees.
What is infuriating is the fact that, according to the OS map, this is a footpath and consequently should only be traversed on foot with no legal status for vehicular access. The issue was highlighted to Suffolk Council via their Footpath Issue Reporting Page, to which the following response was received:
I met with Scottish Power and they acknowledge that they have damaged the paths (over and above the normal farm traffic) and they will reinstate these surfaces particularly as highlighted below. They are currently demobilising from the sites and then the paths will need to dry out before they can bring back machinery and materials without making even more mess and damage. They will fill in any deep ruts and hollows with stone and generally scrape, level and compact the sand/soil.
Unfortunately, this means that the paths will remain very rutted and muddy until they dry out and it becomes possible to get machinery back in there. Extent of the issue highlighted on the Definitive Map
As stated, unfortunately this will be take time to resolve.
PRoW - The Law and Common-Law Principles
UK law gives walkers and riders a right to pass and repass along the line of the legal path. It does not give a general right to roam onto neighbouring land. The right is limited to the line of the public right of way. This derives from the general definition of a highway:
You may “pass and repass” along the line of the highway, and not elsewhere as specified by the Highways Act 1980 (especially s.137 and s.134).
However, when a path is obstructed, flooded, blocked, or dangerous, the courts recognise a temporary right to “deviate”. There is long-standing case law holding that where a highway is blocked, a traveller may deviate onto the minimum amount of adjoining land necessary to pass around the obstruction, provided:
The deviation is reasonable
It is temporary
It is solely for the purpose of continuing the journey
You return to the legal line of the path as soon as possible
This is grounded in the common law doctrine of a “lawful excuse” for straying slightly off the highway when the highway is unlawfully obstructed.
Typical applicable circumstances:
A fallen tree blocking the entire width
A flooded or impassably muddy section
A locked or dangerous gate/stile
Barbed wire or electric fencing blocking the path
A vehicle parked across the full width
A slurry-covered or dangerously churned surface from agricultural machinery or 4×4 vehicles
In all these cases you may make only the smallest deviation needed to get around the obstruction.
In Conclusion
You may legally deviate a small, reasonable amount onto adjacent land only when the public right of way is obstructed or impassable, and strictly for the purpose of continuing your onward passage.
You may not roam generally, use an alternative route for convenience, or cross land unnecessarily.
Preparation work has started for the Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) wind-farm work. Hedgerows and trees are now being pulled up on the land between Leiston and the coast. This includes bridleway E120/20 (See location on map) close to Thorpeness and locally known as the Tunnel due to the overhanging trees. This may be an ancient green-way as it is sunk from the level of the fields either side which is common on such ancient routes. It is a popular path for both locals and visitors alike. In addition footpaths E-363/14 (See location on map), E-363/14A (See location on map) and E-363/15 (See location on map) are having their hedgerows destroyed, these paths are close to Leiston and very popular with dog walkers. E-363/15 and E120/20 form the principle off-road route between Leiston and Thorpeness and are very popular routes.
The extent of the hedgerow destruction and subsequent diversions can be seen on the wind-farm plans - see pages 2 and 5 for the above. This really does restrict access to the countryside for anyone living in Leiston, the routes to the north are blocked up by SZC, the routes to the east are confined by the sea, the routes to the south will be blocked up or diverted by SPR and to the west there will soon be diversions or blocking up by the SPR substation works. So much for the freedom of movement and another nail in the coffin for the tourist trade.
Rat Runs
The road that links Theberton and Blythburgh (B1125) has become a rat run for SZC workers. This is no more than a country lane full of wildlife and popular with cyclists with some sections also used by walkers. The road provides a cut through to escape the speed restrictions imposed on the main roads and to avoid the Park and Ride option onto the site. Therefore, many SZC workers use this as a rat run, travelling at speed unsuitable for such lanes. Many accidents have occured along this lane in the past, particularly during Sizewell B outages where a similar issue occurs. This is of particular concern for the villagers of Middleton and Westleton and a campaign has been set up to highlight this. As part of the campaign many running rat sculptures have been placed along the route.
Running rats highlighting the use of this road as a SZC Rat Run
Other lanes in the area are also being used as rat runs, where speed is unsuitable for the conditions. Instances include the lanes around Eastbridge and the track between Sizewell Gap and Thorpeness. Such concerns were highlighted during the SZC Public Consultations, where speed restrictions were requested but no positive outcomes were ever implemented.
Mobile Phone Network Coverage
It should be noted that the mobile phone network coverage is limited in the area, particularly with the mobile data signal which remains inaccessible for most of the time. This is due to the large increase in the amount of users attempting to access the network from the SZC and wind-farm projects, and the lack of infrastructure to accommodate such an increase. This is particularly evident with the O2 network, although we have been led to believe that other networks are similarly affected. This may cause issues if navigating on a device that relies on the mobile data signal. It is recommended to use either cached or downloaded maps on your device, or go back to paper OS maps and compass.
Rumours
I have heard from several sources that contractors for SZC believe that local people are either getting paid compensation for the disruption that they are having to endure or are being given free electric. This maybe why they treat the local people with contempt. I can categorically state that this is totally untrue and the only thing local people are getting out of this is disruption to their daily routines.
References and Links
Legislation
The Wind-farm legislation contains references to public rights of way that are affected which then reference external documentation (the Public Rights of Way Plan). This plan is linked in the Associated Documents section below. I cannot be certain that these are the final plans but if they are then there will be a lot of extra mileage for anyone wanting to walk in the area. For more references and documents see the Scottish Renewables Website.
The Wind-farm legislation uses references of the type E-{XXX}/{YYY}/{Z}, ie E-363/029/0. There does not appear to be any reference or key within the legislation as to how to interpret these codes, although it would seem that XXX is the parish number, YYY is the Public Right of Way reference from the Definitive map and Z is unknown but always appears to be a value of 0.
By referencing the relevant Parish Definitive Map (see links in the Public Rights of Way section below ), then the specific PRoW can be determined. The relevant parish codes for the wind-farm projects are:
106
Aldringham-cum-Thorpe
260
Friston
344
Kelsale-cum-Carlton
354
Knodishall
363
Leiston-cum-Sizewell
387
Marlsford
The Sizewell C legislation uses a different set of codes which also do not have any reference or key to interpret them although the references can be found in a Map Plan. These can be found in the SZC Associated Documents section below.
Legislation Links
The links below take you to the relevant legislation for these projects and their respective Schedules that concern the blocking up and diverting of Public Rights of Way.
UK Legislation can be amended by other legislation. While the amended legislation is regularly updated, not all legislative effects are applied immediately. If there are any outstanding amendments. This is displayed in the Status box at the top of the specific Legislation page, as highlighted below where the legislation can be seen to be up-to-date.
Legislation that is up-to-date as declared in the highlighted Status box
If there are outstanding effects, the the Changes to Legislation page will provide information about the Amending Legislation. The list below links to those pages where Atom Feed and CSV formats can be subscribed to. As of 27th January each item of the linked legislation was up-to-date.
2025-07-31 : Adjust Theberton to Leiston path updates for changes to the path diversion
2025-08-22 : Add in details of diversions on the Sandlings path, access along Buckleswood Road and Harrow Lane plus a new section on Mobile Phone Coverage
2025-08-27 : Copy check and review. Updates where necessary
2025-09-03 : Add in new tag and links to diverted paths
2025-09-09 : Add in issue with Aldringham path diversion issue
2025-09-12 : More updates for the Aldringham footpath. Plus additional warnings about works traffic
2025-09-20 : Add in references section.
2025-10-01 : Add additional links to the relevant legislation Schedules.
2025-10-24 : Potter Street info. Meadow on Sandy lane changes, plus new beach image
2025-10-27 : Add in link to Public Access Portal for finding blocking up orders
2025-10-30 : Added in diversions for the Leiston/Theberton footpath and the Aldringham church footpath
2025-10-31 : Add in details of Buckleswood Road being blocked up
2025-11-03 : Updated main map image that includes the proposed Suffolk Water Recycling, Transfer and Storage project
2025-11-12 : Added photo example of the muddy rights of walk that are being churned up by contractor traffic
2025-11-16 : Closure of the England Coast Path
2025-11-18 : Buckleswood Road - information of the diversion to take as a pedestrian
2025-11-18 : Update legislation section - add in additional information to locate plans and interpret PRoW codes
2025-11-26 : Update image as example of the quagmires caused by construction traffic on footpaths
2025-12-05 : Update to the Leiston to Theberton footpath plus various other updates
2025-12-10 : Updates for the Aldringham Church path, the path off of Fitches Lane, and the diversion in place along the Sandlings path between Coldfair and Friston. Also added in a Legal section to advise on getting around impassable and obstructed public rights of way
2025-12-16 : Diversion map and details for England Coast Path during first 3 months of 2026
2025-12-28 : Added paragraph Restrictions of the Freedom of Movement for Pedestrians
2026-01-07 : General edit with general 2026 updates on the state of the area
2026-01-11 : Include links to SZC and Wind-farm Tracker pages
2026-01-15 : Finally managed to locate the Wind-farm blocking up plan documents. They make it very hard to locate these
2026-01-18 : Adjust formatting to allow for general site update changes
2026-01-19 : Add in details of the blocking up of PRoW across the railway in Leiston
2026-01-27 : Add information detailing how to determine outstanding Legislative effects to the wind-farm and SZC Legislation
2026-01-30 : Added response from Suffolk Council concerning the state of the PRoW beyond Fitches Lane
2026-02-02 : Updated dates for the England Coast Path closure plus information on the conditions of the tracks and lanes through to Theberton
2026-02-14 : Added in the More Destruction section as the Scottish Power Renewables start to destroy more countryside
2026-02-16 : Review of whole page, bringing it up-to-date with what is currently known. Added in map reference links to locations that will link to google maps
2026-02-17 : Extended blocking up dates for the Westward Ho path across the railway in Leiston.
2026-02-18 : Add in additional observations of Buckleswood Road and Harrow Lane after walking this.
2026-02-20 : Add in info about Sizewell Beach is still walkable through to minsmere, add in photo of conflicting diversion signs
2026-02-25 : Footpath E-354/003 between Coldfair and Friston has now been reinstated.
2026-02-27 : Rat Run section
2026-02-28 : Add in Kelsale footpath blocking up orders
2026-03-07 : Blocking up of Abbey Lane for pedestrians. Flooding issues with Bridleway 26 and Sizewell Gap Road. Latest information of using the Eastbridge to Minsmere Sluice footpath as the diversion route for the England Coast Path
2026-03-08 : Review of page, added map to show where the paths are blocked up at Abbey Lane
2026-03-12 : Added beach closure dates for Sizewell, plus added new section titled Diversions and Confrontation
2026-03-13 : Blocking up of alternative footpath and Abbey Lane now removed. Added in possible methods around this if it happens again
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