Improve cycle paths, residents told

A NEIGHBOURHOOD watch group would be wise to campaign for more cycle paths, according to their counterparts in a nearby town.

The leader of the north east Ipswich scheme has today advised Stowmarket residents to fight fearlessly for improvements to safety for cyclists.

Peter Taber, of Ernleigh Road, has spoken out after the parents of a girl knocked off her bike in Stowmarket vowed to start a petition for improved road safety near their home.

Avril and Andrew Clarke criticised the lack of cycle paths as eight-year-old Chelsea spent two weeks in intensive care fighting serious head injuries.

She was in collision with a car while cycling on Ipswich Road earlier this month.

Mr Taber said: "With the volume of traffic increasing, cycle tracks are becoming more essential for road safety.

"Ipswich Road is a very busy road and although a reduced speed limit would help it is not the answer. The only solution is to have cycle lanes."

Mr Taber said the best paths were those situated off-road - like the ones near Ipswich Hospital - but recognised the paths in Stowmarket were not wide enough for this.

"Neighbourhood Watch is much more than being curtain peepers and these people can really make a difference," he said.

"They should raise this whole matter with their community police officer, not forgetting local councillors and attend the relevant council meetings to show they mean business."

Suffolk County Council has made proposals for a traffic scheme, including a cycle lane, on Ipswich Road.

A spokesman said: "We have consulted the town and district council, and are looking at their comments before we have a public consultation, which will hopefully happen before the end of July.

"We have put in quite a few cycle lanes in Stowmarket already."

nDo you think there should be new cycle lanes created in Stowmarket? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk