An Ipswich business owner is calling for pedestrianising measures, as the council looks to crack down on parking in pedestrian areas of the town centre.

Jon Halls, who runs vegan Hullabaloo café in St Peter's Street, would like to see partial pedestrianisation in the street.

This comes as the Suffolk County Council's proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) looks to restrict vehicle loading and waiting in many roads in Ipswich. 

The proposed TRO would introduce no waiting at any time, and no loading from 11am to 4.30pm, on several streets in the town centre.

Mr Halls said: "For us in St Peter's Street, we have an excellent community but the street is never used as a destination and people do not consider it part of the town centre. 

"People do not come to Ipswich to shop in St Peter's Street as it is not an easy street to negotiate with cars driving up and down and parking.

"Some of us would like to see this street part-pedestrianised, with parking restrictions and time restrictions for loading, and bays for businesses to offer outside tables and chairs.

Ipswich Star: Jennie Debenham and Jon Halls of Hullabaloo cafe.Jennie Debenham and Jon Halls of Hullabaloo cafe. (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)

"It would become an attractive area to walk to, and almost connect the town with the Waterfront, which seem to be completely separate entities.

"It would be a game-changer, and encourage people to come to Ipswich and to our independent shops.

"Many people pass to walk into town and out of town, they are not stopping for lunch. It needs to be turned into a place that becomes more of a destination."

The TRO restrictions would affect Buttermarket, Carr Street, Cornhill, Dial Lane, Lady Lane, Providence Street, St Lawrence Street, Tavern Street, Westgate Street, part of Lion Street, Lloyds Avenue, Princes Street, Thoroughfare, Tower Street, Cox Lane, Hatton Court, St Stephens Lane.

There would also be no waiting and no loading at any time for Wingfield Street, and no loading 8am to 11am, and 4.30pm to 6pm Monday to Saturday on Tower Street.

Adam Rae, Ipswich councillor for Alexandra ward in the town centre, said: "These measures are very good for the town, and would make it safer for other drivers and pedestrians.

"We have been trying for some considerable time to get this order in place.

"The intention is for it to allow the council to carry out enforcement where people have parked on pedestrianised roads in the town centre.

"Without the Traffic Regulation Order, we have no means to carry out enforcement, but with this order in place we can look at those problems and sort them out."

Objections can be made to Suffolk County Council at Aishah.Siddika@suffolk.gov.uk by February 9, 2024.