Lloyds Avenue work to begin this year, six years on
Ipswich Borough Council says construction on the Lloyds Avenue revamp will finally go ahead, after Suffolk County Council approved the highways work needed – six years after the scheme was first proposed and five years after funding was secured.
Why it matters: The scheme aims to transform one of Ipswich town centre's main streets, strengthening the route between the Cornhill and Crown Street with wider footways, new planters and improved lighting.
The details: Planning permission for the scheme was secured in April 2025, and local contractor Brooks and Wood Ltd has been appointed to deliver the works.
- Construction is scheduled to begin later this year, subject to formal agreement from Suffolk County Council's highways service.
- The scheme includes expanded pedestrian areas, improved seating, and high-quality paving across footways and carriageways, similar to improvements already delivered on St Peter's Street.
- Improvements will also extend to Tower Ramparts, strengthening links with the Plaza area.
- New cycle parking, the decluttering of Lloyds Archway and new planters are also planned.
- A taxi rank will be retained at the top of Lloyds Avenue.
For context: The scheme has taken years to reach this stage. Lloyds Avenue was included in a shared £3m public realm improvements bid, alongside Arras Square and Majors Corner, as part of the Towns Fund allocation awarded to Ipswich in 2021. Concept designs specifically for Lloyds Avenue were not unveiled until July 2024, followed by a public consultation that September. Construction was originally expected to begin in late 2025, then early 2026, but was delayed after issues were found with the substrate beneath the footpaths.
Ipswich.co.uk has followed the scheme's setbacks closely, examining the scale of the delays. In August 2025, we submitted a Freedom of Information request to the council seeking a breakdown of spending on the scheme to date, confirmation of any changes to the £1.4m budget, and the reasons behind the repeated delays to construction. The council has yet to respond; a reply is due by mid-September 2026.
Nicola Sebastian
What they're saying: Council leader Cllr Neil MacDonald said: "This is fantastic news for Ipswich and another important milestone in our ambition to create a vibrant, attractive and accessible town centre for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
"These improvements will transform a key route through the town centre, creating more space for people, encouraging walking and providing an attractive setting that supports local businesses and the wider visitor economy."
He added: "We're delighted to be working with local contractor Brooks and Wood Ltd to deliver this exciting project and look forward to seeing the benefits it will bring for many years to come."
What's next: Subject to the formal agreement with Suffolk County Council's highways service, the scheme is expected to be completed by mid-July 2027.
The bottom line: After years of delay, Ipswich Borough Council says work on Lloyds Avenue can finally be scheduled. Subject to formal agreement, construction is expected to begin later this year and finish by mid-July 2027 – though a firm start date is still to be confirmed.
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