MAJOR changes to bus routes in the town centre are going to make it a 'Better Way Day' in Ipswich, claim transport chiefs. The changes to bus routes, bus stops and roads will affect bus passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, drivers with disabilities and shopkeepers.

MAJOR changes to bus routes in the town centre are going to make it a 'Better Way Day' in Ipswich, claim transport chiefs.

The changes to bus routes, bus stops and roads will affect bus passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, drivers with disabilities and shopkeepers.

From tomorrow, buses will travel in the opposite direction in Museum Street, and Upper Brook Street will become one-way northbound. This will allow buses to travel in an anti-clockwise direction around the town centre and passengers will be able to get off closer to the town centre.

This is the latest phase in a plan that began in the early 1990s between Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council, with their public transport partners Ipswich Buses and First Eastern.

The changes on Museum Street will mean that pedestrians will need to take special care when crossing at the junction with Westgate Street, as buses will be coming from a new direction.

In addition to the changes to the roads and routes, new parking bays are being installed in Upper Brook Street/Northgate Street and Museum Street/High Street that will be available for disabled drivers to use between 11am and 4pm. Shopkeepers will be allowed to use them for unloading and loading between 4.40pm and 2am and 8.30am to 10.30am.

Cyclists can continue to use Upper Brook Street, Northgate Street, Museum Street and High Street in both directions. Cycle lanes will be contra-flow but cyclists will need to be aware of on-coming vehicles and pedestrians crossing.

Further improvements are planned for summer 2003, including the redevelopment of the Tower Ramparts bus station.

People requiring information about routes and stops can either pick up a leaflet from a bus driver, use the following website www.ipswich.gov.uk/getaroundtown or ring Ipswich Buses on 01473 232600, First Eastern on 01473 253734 or Traveline on 0870 6082608.

All affected roads (Museum and Upper Brook Street), will be closed from 6.00am, with diversions in place. Buses will avoid town centre on Sunday.

Once new signs and signals are ready, the new gyratory system should be opened at 2.00pm. If weather conditions are poor it will open on Monday.