The new Ipswich John Lewis at Home and Waitrose.

Ipswich: John Lewis may chip in for road changes around Futura Park

By Paul Geater Friday, November 30, 2012
5:03 PM

THE continued popularity of the new Waitrose and John Lewis at home stores in the east of the town could prompt road improvements in the area next year.

Officials from the county council are monitoring the situation, but since the two stores opened at the start of November there have been regular traffic queues heading to the site.

Traffic experts believe these may ease once the novelty of the new stores has worn off – and once the busy Christmas period is over.

However if the problems continue into the new year, Suffolk County Council’s transport department may ask the developers of the new Futura Park business centre to bring forward payments for road improvements.

Developers Aquigen agreed to pay towards road improvements under the “Section 106 agreement” signed as part of the planning agreement for the site.

The improvements are due to be phased over the development of the whole site and could take several years.

However if the delays to traffic continue into the usually quiet period of late January and into February, the county may look to bring forward improvements at the Warren Heath and Ravenswood roundabouts.

One thing that should ease congestion is the opening of the second entrance on to Futura Park, from Nacton Road, which is due within the next few weeks. A spokeswoman for John Lewis said: “The run up to Christmas is an incredibly busy period for John Lewis and Waitrose shops across the country and it’s great to see that both shops have remained popular since opening.

“We are aware that traffic in the area has been busy and have brought marshals into the car park to help customers find spaces more easily.

“We will continue working with the relevant parties to do all that we can to ensure traffic flow is not disrupted.”

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4 comments

Personally I don't agree that the opening of the new entrance on Nacton Road will ease the situation, that little stretch from KwikFit down to the Golden Hind is always very congested. Putting another junction there will make things even worse, especially if our beloved council puts traffic lights there. I do sometimes wonder if somebody gets a bonus for the number of traffic signals they can install in this town.

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PC Plod

Saturday, December 1, 2012
Since these overpriced and ove rrated stores have appeared, I seem to be able to get nowhere fast. I doubt any additional entrances or signals are going to do anything to boost that. Bad planning as usual. not holding my breath. I doubt the addition of the Ikea store in that area will do anything to help either.

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Vigilant_Citizen

Saturday, December 1, 2012
AH , ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ? . NOW LET ME SEE , I KNOW , TRAFFIC LIGHTS HERE , TRAFFIC LIGHTS THERE , TRAFFIC LIGHTS EVERYWHERE , ONLY IMPROVEMENTS THIS COUNCIL KNOW ... WAIT & SEE ,,

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MIGUEL100

Friday, November 30, 2012
Let me guess – more traffic lights which will do nothing but ensure there are traffic jams all day and all night rather than just at busy times.

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Mike Rotch

Friday, November 30, 2012