£7.9m to be spent on new cycle lanes and pedestrian routes across Suffolk
Ipswich, Woodbridge, Felixstowe and Bury St Edmunds are among areas to benefit
£7.9m is to be spent on improving cycling routes and walk pedestrian paths across Suffolk, after Suffolk County Council was awarded money from a government scheme.
The money has come from Active Travel England and will be spent on seven projects across the county, including cycle lanes, paths and crossing points.
The projects include two 'mini-Holland' schemes for Woodbridge and Felixstowe, worth £5m and £1.3m respectively.
The schemes make it easier for people to choose to cycle in town centres, through changes to junctions and the installation of cycling lanes on busy routes.
£1.2m will be spent on making the route between the University of Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital safer.
£4m will be spent on a scheme in Woodbridge town centre which will see some roads pedestrianised and others made one-way.
Cash will also be put towards a study which will look at whether Melton could also benefit from a 'mini-Holland' scheme.
The full list of improvements are as follows:
- Woodbridge (Town Centre) Mini-Holland - £4,005,000
- Grange Road Felixstowe- £1,318,000
- Ipswich Hospital to University of Suffolk - £ 1,227,950
- Woodbridge (South) Mini-Holland - £1,125,000
- Ipswich - £105, 149 to be spent on 12 schemes including the east-west Ipswich town centre route, Crown Street to Ipswich Waterfront and general travel to school in the borough
- Bury St Edmunds East/West Route - £105,149
- Capel St Mary to Copdock - £46, 967
Councillor Richard Smith, a Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet member, said:
“I am delighted that tonight Active Travel England has confirmed Suffolk is to receive nearly £8 million in funding for active travel scheme across the county.
“This is money that Suffolk County Council bid for and will fund projects in Ipswich, Woodbridge, Bury St Edmunds, Capel St Mary and Felixstowe.
“We welcome this funding and look forward to investing it in projects that will help protect and enhance our environment whilst, at the same time, helping people to travel sustainably.”
Public consultations on the changes will be held this year, before the schemes are rolled out next year.