AN area of Ipswich blighted by anti-social behaviour could receive a cash injection of £70,000.Councillors will meet this week to decide whether to approve recommendations to improve the shopping parade and enhance the highways in Queen's Way.

AN area of Ipswich blighted by anti-social behaviour could receive a cash injection of £70,000.

Councillors will meet this week to decide whether to approve recommendations to improve the shopping parade and enhance the highways in Queen's Way.

The community improvements steering group is asked to recommend the executive agree a funding contribution of £27,000 for environmental improvements and £40,000 for highways.

The remaining £3,000 would be met by the All Hallows Housing Forum.

The report states: "The proposals will bring huge benefits to the whole area, improving quality of life for all residents and have a significant bearing on the street scene.

"This will also address the council's desire to address issues in the local areas where problems of varying types have been encountered in recent months."

But in a report to the council it states that the expense of the measures could see the scheme refused stating that the cost could outweigh the benefits.

It is hoped environmental improvements to the area will reduce incidents of anti social behaviour in the area.

Dispersal orders, preventing yobs loitering in groups, have already been implemented in both Queen's Way and Reynolds Road.

If approved, the project could see the complete redevelopment of Queen's Way.

Improved lighting, more litter bins, improved footpaths and parking spaces are among the proposals.

Following recommendations from the police and a survey among shopkeepers, it is also recommended that the telephone box outside Costcutters be removed.

The report states that it is "often vandalised or used for immoral purposes" with 75 per cent of those surveyed recommending it is removed.

There is however, no guarantee that BT will agree to take out the telephone box.

Highways proposals include building more lay-bys, more footway crossings, verge hardening and extra tree planting and landscaping.

Traffic calming in Queen's Way and the surrounding area has already been earmarked for liveability funding.

Bill Quinton, a Priory Heath councillor for Ipswich Borough Council, said: "Anything that is to the benefit of residents in the area and shopkeepers is good and I support it.

"Queen's Way itself needs highway enhancement. It has been on the cards for a long while and hopefully the committee will approve it.

"I know it would make life safer and easier for residents up there."

The scheme has been recommended for approval and is due to be discussed on Thursday.

What improvements do you think need to be made to Queen's Way? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk