Ipswich Cavendish Street bollards slammed by councillor

George Lankester said the bollards are "falling apart" <i>(Image: George Lankester)</i>
George Lankester said the bollards are "falling apart" (Image: George Lankester)
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A community leader has hit out at the "unsightly" state of planters that were placed as temporary bollards in a rat run in Ipswich.

The planters, located at the junction in Cavendish Street, before White Elm Street, have been in place since 2022 when Suffolk County Council installed them temporarily.

The installation came after residents complained about the road being a rat run, with cars using it to get from Fore Hamlet to Foxhall Road.

In February last year, it was revealed that Suffolk County Council wsa going to make the restrictions permanent for the road and that work would be done by the end of last year.

The restrictions were placed in 2022The restrictions were placed in 2022 (Image: Charlotte Bond)

However, in the middle of 2025, the situation is the same - with the planters looking "unsightly" due to "lack of care".

Residents even took matters into their own hands in July last year, by putting pallets and barricades where the permanent bollards would be.

Suffolk County Council has said permanent bollards have been designed and a consultation is set to be launched.

George Lankester, Ipswich borough councillor for the Holywells ward, said: "The current state of the junction between Cavendish Street and White Elm Street is unacceptable.

"Residents rightly want to know why Suffolk County Council has failed to keep on top of this.

Councillor George LankesterCouncillor George Lankester (Image: George Lankester)

"It has been consistently brought to their attention by myself and other councillors.

"The junction was first closed in November 2022. After a survey in September 2023, Suffolk County Council confirmed the closure would become permanent.

"At that time, they committed to designing and implementing a permanent scheme by the end of 2024.

"Yet here we are, still waiting, with no permanent installation and the temporary planters falling apart."

A spokesperson for Suffolk County Council said: "The project to install permanent barriers on Cavendish Street in Ipswich is ongoing, where we are working towards bringing a safer walking and cycling environment, as well as a quieter area for residents.

"In addition to this, we have been working with businesses in the surrounding areas as part of the scheme to minimise any impact on their operations. 

"The new permanent scheme has been designed, with a few minor amendments needed following a recent road safety audit, and consultation on these is to take place across the next few weeks."

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