BUILDING a new road to link a busy port with the A14 trunk road would be an "environmental tragedy", the leader of a town's allotment holders warned as pressure grew on planners to rethink.

BUILDING a new road to link a busy port with the A14 trunk road would be an "environmental tragedy", the leader of a town's allotment holders warned as pressure grew on planners to rethink.

Bryan Taylor, chairman of the Ipswich Allotment Holders Association, said the proposed road - to the east bank of the town's port - would slice through the Morland Road allotment site causing " a disaster" for those who lovingly tended their plots each year.

The route is shown in a draft version of Ipswich Local Plan – published by the borough council for public consultation.

The new road is part of a package of measures which, according to the council, could be needed to improve access to the port over the next 15 years.

A planning application submitted by a local landowner and prospective developer, Samuel Beadie Limited, shows the road going through the centre of the allotment site.

However, the route shown on the Ipswich Local Plan appears to slice through the edge of the site, near its border with the Pipers Vale wildlife and amenity area.

"If it were not for the shadow cast over the site by this ill-considered scheme, the number of plots under cultivation would undoubtedly be higher," said Mr Taylor.

"Allotment gardening is a long-term hobby and the thought that they might lose their plot will undoubtedly deter some people," he added.

Mr Taylor, who is lobbying borough councillors and Ipswich MP Chris Mole, said while the road itself might not destroy many allotments, the verges and embankments would increase the total which would be lost.

If the central route was chosen then part of the site would become isolated in terms of access, especially for vehicles carrying materials such as manure.

Sue Arnold, Ipswich Borough Council's head of strategic planning and regeneration, said the route of the proposed road had not been exactly defined but, if built, it would undoubtedly have an impact on the allotments.

"Nothing will be decided until a Local Plan is adopted. But if the local authority believes the road should be built that the route will come up for re-examination," she added.