Gallery: Tree planting helps improve look of roadworks around Ipswich town centre
Some of the roadworks in and around Ipswich town centre that cause traffic chaos. Star Lane - Credit: Archant
DISGRUNTLED motorists have been taking to our comments pages to complain about the ongoing roadworks in Ipswich.
It seems that at every turn you are met by lane closures, workmen in the road, diversions or the ensuing tailbacks.
This week photographer Lucy Taylor visited the key sites around Ipswich to record the progress that is being made.
The majority of these roadworks are as a result of the Travel Ipswich scheme, being carried out by Skanska and Suffolk County Council, which aims to “improve traffic management and promote smarter travelling choices”. The hope is that with wider pavements and more bus and cycle lanes, motorists will think again before jumping in their cars.
The main element of this is the Civic Drive/Princes Street project, where trees are currently being planted around what will soon be a traffic light-controlled junction.
The roundabout has largely been removed, replaced with a temporary mini-roundabout, and the underpass closed.
In coming weeks the team will be laying large areas of new paving on the roads leading to the junction, installing seating and cycle racks as well as working on the loading bay alongside the Willis building.
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This part of the scheme had been due for completion at the end of May but delays caused by the cold weather means the new lights will not be operational until June. The east-to-west corridor - Falcon Street, Dog’s Head Street and Tacket Street - will be made more pedestrian-friendly with new lighting, CCTV and street furniture, landscaping and new taxi/mini-cab ranks.
Preparations are currently being made for new bus shelters at the Old Cattle Market bus station, including live passenger information screens
New pedestrian traffic lights have been installed in Star Lane, close to the junction with Foundation Street, as part of a major overhaul of the one-way system
Soane Street is this week seeing the paving upgraded and a table-top road hump installed to make it easier for pedestrians to walk in the street during major events at Christchurch Park.
Meanwhile, more minor works are ongoing in Cornwell Square.
