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Council backs £2m marina upgrade as pontoon concerns revealed

News
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Plans to replace 93 pontoons with 15 new ones at Ipswich's marina have received unanimous approval from the borough council. Planning officers cited the "poor state" of existing structures as a key factor in their decision.

Why it matters: The decision paves the way for the most significant changes to Ipswich's waterfront in recent years, following the sudden relocation of dozens of boats in recent weeks.

The big picture: Associated British Ports (ABP) will:

  • Remove 93 existing pontoons

  • Install 15 new ones

  • Add a foul water treatment plant

  • Build two welfare buildings with toilets and showers

Neptune Marina in Ipswich
Plans to replace 93 pontoons with 15 new ones at Ipswich's marina have received unanimous approval from the borough councilAndy Yacoub

Where it's happening: The new welfare facilities will be placed in the private car park opposite the Duke Street car park in the quay.

Behind the scenes: The approval came at Wednesday morning's Planning & Development Committee meeting, where planning officers noted the proposal aligns with both local and national policies.

Wider context: The decision follows ABP's recent requirement for 39 vessel owners to relocate their boats due to safety concerns about the pontoons' condition, and so work could begin immediately if the planning application was approved. The company had submitted these development plans in July.

The bottom line: With unanimous council backing secured, ABP can now proceed with its promised marina transformation.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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One man's mission to preserve Ipswich's transport heritage

Feature
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We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

As our transport landscape continues its rapid evolution, one local enthusiast has embarked on a remarkable journey to preserve a piece of Ipswich's recent history.

Bus preservation in Britain has come a long way since 1956, when four pioneering enthusiasts purchased their first historic London bus for a mere £40. Today, more than 5,000 preserved buses grace our nation's roads, each telling its own story of public transport's evolution.

This story begins with fleet number 147, an Optare Versa bus that once ferried countless passengers between London Road and Martlesham park and ride sites.

Now, this former Ipswich Buses workhorse has found a new home, rescued from potential obscurity for £4,000, by Jake Gooding, a local bus enthusiast and now proud preservationist.

I have to say, £4,000 for a fully-operational bus feels like an absolute bargain when compared to the cost of a half-decent SUV nowadays.

After becoming sidetracked (a common occurance for me) and going down a potentially divorce-inducing rabbit hole, exploring the idea of a "News Bus" in Ipswich, I got back to the task in hand.

"Indeed, prices of single deck buses are usually around the £2,500 range for a second hand one, and double deckers are usually around £4,000-£5,000, Jake informed me.

"The reason why ours was a little expensive is because it has a range of mod cons like air-conditioning, next stop announcements capabilities etc."

Optare Versa fleet number 147
Optare Versa fleet number 147Jake Gooding

Jake's vision includes restoring the vehicle to its former Ipswich Buses glory, complete with period livery. It's a labour of love that will demand dedication and expense, with annual running costs of around £500 and regular maintenance to keep the bus roadworthy.

The Optare Versa itself has an interesting technical history. Originally fitted with a MAN engine, it later received a Cummins power unit during its service life with Ipswich Buses. These engineering changes reflect the practical realities of keeping a hardworking public service vehicle on the road.

If all goes according to plan, this piece of Ipswich's transport heritage will make its preserved debut at The Big Bus Show at Stonham Barns in August 2025. There, it will stand (park?) proud as a testament to our town's transport heritage and the dedication of those who work to preserve it.

Jake Gooding
Jake GoodingJake Gooding

Some might question why anyone would want to preserve such a relatively modern vehicle. Yet in an era of rapid technological change, where tomorrow's buses might be unrecognisable from today's, preserving examples of recent transport history becomes increasingly important.

Fleet number 147's story didn't end when it left Ipswich Buses' service in November 2020. Instead, it's beginning a new chapter – one that will help ensure that future generations can appreciate how their parents and grandparents travelled around our town.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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