Why it matters: The scheme, funded by Active Travel England, aims to make it safer and easier to walk, cycle and wheel between Ipswich Hospital and the Waterfront – two of the town's busiest destinations. Suffolk County Council says the improvements will also benefit local businesses by creating safer, more attractive streets.
The details: Construction is scheduled between April and August 2026, with works planned across eight streets: Back Hamlet, Grove Lane, Foxhall Road, Wellesley Road, Marlborough Road, Cauldwell Hall Road, Freehold Road and Newbury Road.
The key changes at each location are:
Cauldwell Hall Road: A parallel crossing will be installed, combining a zebra crossing with a dedicated cycle lane, following requests from residents for an improved crossing.
St John's Road: The junction will be tightened to slow vehicle speeds and improve safety, directly in response to concerns about driver behaviour.
Freehold Road: Westbound cyclists will have the option of using the crossing or joining the route via a new dropped kerb south of Freehold Road.
Grove Lane: A signalised crossing will be installed on the southern side of Finbar's Walk, alongside a new two-way cycle track on the west side of the road.
Foxhall Road: Speed humps and traffic-calming measures will be introduced, along with a new 20mph speed limit from Grove Lane to Foxhall Road; improvements outside local shops will be funded through a combination of Active Travel England funding and Ipswich Borough Council Towns Fund investment.
What they're saying: Councillor Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for transport strategy, said: "Improving the route between Ipswich Hospital and the Waterfront strengthens connections between two key destinations used daily by residents, workers, and visitors.
"Encouraging more people to walk, wheel or cycle for short trips supports better physical and mental health, helps reduce congestion and improves air quality.
"This scheme will also support local businesses, particularly along Foxhall Road, by creating safer, more attractive streets that can increase footfall and local spending."
For context: A public consultation held in summer 2024 gathered feedback from residents, stakeholders and partners. Suffolk County Council says that feedback was used to shape the final designs and reflect local priorities. The council is also coordinating the works with Cadent's planned gas main replacements to reduce the need for repeated road closures.
What's next: Construction is scheduled to run from April to August 2026, with timelines designed to minimise disruption. During the Grove Lane works, additional road and footway maintenance will also be carried out to maximise efficiency.
