The South Lowestoft Relief Road has been completed by the County
Council. This was funded by the Department for Transport and
diverts the A12 southern approach to the town away from the Kirkley
shopping centre and from the seafront at South Beach. Not only does
it avoid the congestion of the routes through the built-up area for
the motorist, but it has allowed the upgrading of the environment
in the area for the benefit of the shoppers, the tourists and of
course the local businesses that rely on those
customers.
This upgrade has been part of the Sunrise project which also
extends north of the Bascule Bridge to give a completely new look
to the main shopping street in Lowestoft. The fountains at Royal
Plain, opened in 2007 by HRH Princess Royal, are also part of
the project. This has been funded largely from the EU's Objective 2
funds, together with further support from Waveney District Council
and the County Council. Together, the two projects represent more
than £40 million of capital improvements to the town. They are a
major vote of confidence in the future of Lowestoft from the local
authorities, national government and the EU, and are significant
steps in a programme to revitalise the town that will be taken
forward by other initiatives such as
OrbisEnergy the centre for renewable energy (which is under
development now) and the longer term aspirations of the 1st East
Urban Regeneration Company.
If you haven't been to Lowestoft for some time, do go and see how
the town is improving!