£1.6 million of highway improvements could soon be carried out in Martlesham and Melton
It all hinges on what local leaders decide
Highway improvements in Suffolk worth £1.6 million could be carried out if funding is approved by local leaders.
East Suffolk District Council’s cabinet members are due to meet next Tuesday to discuss the allocation of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding — statutory developer contributions paid to councils for investment in local services.
Among the proposals are two bids from the county council’s highways department for improvements in Martlesham and Melton.
The Martlesham proposals include the delivery of cycling and walking enhancements through segregated walking, wheeling, and cycling facilities between the A12 and Sandy lane, in Main Road.
These are considered to be routes of high priority for enhancements, with the district authority being asked to contribute just over £1.2 million — the whole project is expected to cost £1.6 million with the remaining funding already secured by the county council.
The officer’s report states: “This will connect local residents with points of employment, schools and other community facilities that will allow people to have a wider freedom of choice on journeys, particularly for short trips.”
Also included among the projects, although recommended for refusal, is a £523,523 bid for improvements from the junction of Melton Road and Woods Lane to Melton railway station.
Although the route is also considered a high priority, the report states the information is incomplete and has not been consulted upon with the relevant parties.
It also adds that the works’ should form part of a wider considered scheme and clearly demonstrate connectivity benefits’.