A NEW road is today in the pipeline for a busy area of Ipswich blighted by traffic problems.

A NEW road is today in the pipeline for a busy area of Ipswich blighted by traffic problems.

University chiefs have pencilled in the new route as part of plans for the third phase of the institution's continued expansion - the redevelopment of the old college site.

The road, taking traffic east from the junction of Star Lane and Grimwade Street through to Back Hamlet, would bypass the Duke Street roundabout.

It is hoped it would ease pressure on the roundabout - a known bottleneck - allowing motorists to move more freely through the area.

Paul West, responsible for transport at Ipswich Borough Council, said: “We would welcome any proposal that seeks to lessen the impact of development given the current problems.

“I think there's a lot that needs to be talked through with planners and engineers in terms of all the plans together before we get to a situation where we can agree the ideal solution.”

Richard Atkins, responsible for planning and economic development at the council, said: “One of the things to come out of a traffic study on the issue is that the capacity problems around the whole gyratory system are not to do with the amount of road space in the middle.

“It is the bottlenecks at each end - the two roundabouts.

“There doesn't appear to be any viable alternative to get more traffic through at the Novotel end but a change at the Duke Street end could achieve something there.”

Long-standing problems with traffic around the gyratory system appear to have been made worse by a new pedestrian crossing for built for the University's landmark Waterfront building.

The redevelopment of the old college site would be the third phase in the university's expansion.

The first phase - the new landmark Waterfront building opened in September, while planning consent has been granted for a second massive development just 100 metres away on Orwell Quay.

The impressive new six-storey structure would boast 15,000 sq metres of space and play host to the university's health

and science teaching programmes. As well as lecture and seminar rooms the building will also house a restaurant and student union.

The hope is the building will be up and running in just two years' time - by September 2010.