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Lee Walker appointed CEO of Ipswich Central

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Ipswich Central has announced the appointment of Lee Walker as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1 July 2024.

Walker, an Ipswich resident, brings a decade of experience in the place-making industry to his new role and plans to enhance the town's safety and community pride.

Photo of Lee Walker
Lee Walker was appointed as CEO of Ipswich Central on 01 July, 2024Ipswich Central

Walker joins Ipswich Central  following his tenure as Director of The Nottingham Project, where he collaborated with renowned designer Thomas Heatherwick on the Broad Marsh redevelopment, the largest city centre development space in Europe.

Ipswich Central hopes his background in harnessing culture and creativity for urban regeneration will give the BID a fresh perspective.

“I am proud to be from Ipswich and to call it home,” Walker stated. “It’s a home for me and my family but also home to an amazing community and businesses that range from small independents to a Premier League football team. I want to play a part in making sure that we seize the opportunity to shout loudly and proudly about Ipswich to the global audience we now have and celebrate everything that is great about our town.”

Walker emphasised his commitment to increasing the town’s cleanliness and safety, highlighting the implementation of a dedicated on-street security presence to enhance the town’s appeal to visitors. He also stressed the importance of a vibrant cultural, creative, and heritage sector, referencing the successful Thomas Wolsey 550 project as a foundation for future initiatives.

Terry Baxter, Chair of Ipswich Central, expressed confidence in Walker's appointment: “Following a rigorous search and recruitment process, I am delighted that Lee is joining us. With the recent high-profile success of our football team and the strong work delivered through the Wolsey 550 project, we are keen that the town looks and feels a safe place. We want to play our part in this, which is why we are committing additional resources straight to the front line of the town.”

You can find more information about Ipswich Central and its initiatives here .

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Ipswich taxi drivers mount final stand as council greenlights 'fundamentally essential' Lloyds Avenue revamp

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The Ipswich Taxis Alliance is seeking to block the newly-approved £1.4m Lloyds Avenue transformation through traffic regulation challenges, despite widespread support for the project from residents and town centre businesses.

Why it matters: The redevelopment aims to improve the town centre by creating a more vibrant gateway with increased pedestrianisation and greenery, though taxi drivers warn the reduction from 21 to 11 taxi spaces could impact disabled and elderly passengers who rely on the accessible service.

The big picture: Ipswich Borough Council's planning and development committee approved the plans on Wednesday, with funding drawn from the Towns Fund Deal. The project includes digital billboards, new bollards and partial pedestrianisation.

Lloyd's Avenue arch in Ipswich town centre
Lloyd's Avenue arch in Ipswich town centreOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

What they're saying: Mr Rogers, group operations manager of Three Wise Monkeys and chair of Ipswich Barwatch, welcomed the decision, saying: "This project will undoubtedly enhance and improve this area of the town centre in a positive way. From the perspective of a business operator on Lloyds Avenue itself, we feel that improvements like this are fundamentally essential for local businesses in Ipswich."

Lee Walker , CEO of Ipswich Central , added: "Enhancing the external space for business on Lloyds Avenue and improving its aesthetic is a strong step forwards in creating a town centre that works for what people want today. Lloyds Avenue is home to some truly brilliant business that can now flow out truly into town, I can't wait to be able to enjoy a drink outside at many of these venues."

The other side: Taxi drivers have said the plans discriminate against disabled people and will affect their trade. They have started a public petition and are exploring ways to block the plans by examining the scope of a traffic regulation order (TRO).

Disability campaigner Luke O'Brien has joined taxi drivers in their protests, highlighting concerns from Lloyds Avenue users about the changes. The campaigners argue the flat surface at Lloyds Avenue provides "easy accessibility for wheelchair users, vision impaired, walking aided and many other vulnerable groups."

For context: A TRO is issued by Suffolk Highways to inform the public about changes to roads and carries a 21-day consultation period.

Council's defence: Council leader Neil MacDonald described the redevelopment as a "significant step forward" in creating a "vibrant, accessible, and community-centred town centre." He defended the reduction in taxi spaces as being "firmly supported by data" from CCTV footage showing "current provision exceeds demand."

MacDonald also emphasised that "pedestrian accessibility remains a top priority" and that improvements were "designed in close consultation with disability advocates and local stakeholders." He noted alternative pickup areas including "Black Horse Lane, High Street, Museum Street, King Street, Tower Street, Tower Ramparts, Old Foundry Road."

Lloyd's Avenue in Ipswich
Lloyd's Avenue taxi rank in IpswichOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

Strong public backing: Following two public consultations at Ipswich Town Hall and online engagement, MacDonald reported that "the public was overwhelmingly in support of the proposals" with:

  • 68% supporting increased pedestrianisation

  • 74% supporting tree planting and greenery

  • 69% believing it will positively impact local businesses

  • 64% supporting increased café seating

  • 51% saying they would likely spend more time in the town centre

What's next: The taxi alliance has launched a petition urging the council to "back off" and is encouraging football fans, elderly and disabled residents, and local businesses to join their campaign.

It has so far garnered 11 signatures at the time of publishing, but it's unclear how many of those are members of the Taxi Alliance.

The bottom line: With Suffolk Highways withdrawing its previous objections to the scheme, the taxi drivers' last hope may rest on the TRO consultation and their petition gaining significant public support. Otherwise, work to deliver the planned improvements will begin in due course.

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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