IPSWICH could grind to a halt because expansion around the town's Waterfront is not being matched by improvements to the roads in the area according to the Ipswich Society.

IPSWICH could grind to a halt because expansion around the town's Waterfront is not being matched by improvements to the roads in the area according to the Ipswich Society.

The society has warned that development is happening fast without the necessary infrastructure upgrades.

Society vice-chairman John Norman, writing in its latest newsletter, said: “I am very supportive of the plans for town centre living units without car parking spaces.

“But the majority of the apartments do come with a parking space and the homeowners will use their cars.

“So what is planned by way of infrastructure improvement? New facilities? A new bridge over the river? Linked lights to reduce the stop-start of daily commuting?

“None of these. For years we have talked about the gyratory system between the town centre and the Waterfront but we are not brave enough to move the decisions forward.”

Mr Norman said little had been said about the new school places, new dentists, doctors' surgeries or maternity unit beds that would be needed.

He said that an east bank link road from the A14 to the docks and the Waterfront area would enable easy access on to the road network for people living and working in the area.

Ipswich council's environment and transport spokeswoman Inga Lockington said officials were still waiting to hear whether the government would finance transport improvements in the town centre.

This would improve public transport in the area which should be a viable alternative to more roads - and the government would be very unlikely to approve or pay for the construction of any new roads.

She said: “The idea of a bridge over the river sounds attractive, but who would pay for it? And there would be no money for the government for an east bank link road - and that would be necessary.”