Town centre scheme nudges forward

A �24million scheme to make Ipswich town centre more user friendly has passed another hurdle on its path to eventual approval - but it's still some way off getting the green light.

A �24million scheme to make Ipswich town centre more user friendly has passed another hurdle on its path to eventual approval - but it's still some way off getting the green light.

The project, which includes giving priority to buses and establishing new pedestrian walkways and cycle routes, was put forward by Suffolk county council as its major transport priority for the next 10 years.

Although it has now been approved by the Department for Transport as a scheme which qualifies for regional funding, civil servants have still to decide whether it is good enough to get the final go-ahead.

All schemes throughout which have reached this stage now have to be further developed and examined on a case-by-case basis before receiving full approval.

The DfT said a scheme's inclusion within the programme “did not necessarily mean the funding has been approved.

“Schemes will only proceed once they have successfully completed the Department's funding approval processes and secured any necessary legal powers.”

County council officers this month presented full details and costings of the scheme at a presentation held at the DfT's London headquarters and are hopeful that the project fulfils all the Government's criteria.

Chris Mole, Labour MP for Ipswich and a minister in the DfT, has little doubt that the go-ahead will be given and said he was delighted that the �24m scheme had been accepted as a regional priority.

Mr Mole said: “This is great news for Ipswich town centre. I am pleased that the Government has thrown its support behind the East of England's regional funding priorities - which include a public transport revolution of our town.

“Funding will help secure efficient, reliable and sustainable transport for the people of Ipswich.”