Consultation into next phase of Active Travel Woodbridge gets underway

The public is being invited to give its views on proposed plans to boost walking, wheeling, and cycling in Woodbridge.

The proposals for Thoroughfare and Cumberland Street are the latest phase of Suffolk County Council’s Active Travel scheme aiming to transform how people get around the town centre.

They aim to minimise traffic from the Thoroughfare and Cumberland Street travelling through Market Hill, while maintaining convenient routes for drivers leaving the town centre.

This would involve:

The Thoroughfare

• Reversing the traffic flow, making it one-way eastbound. Vehicles would enter from Quay Street and exit onto Lime Kiln Quay Road.
• When the southbound exit via Quay Street is removed, this change would help divert delivery vehicles and other permitted traffic away from Market Hill, reducing congestion in the historic town centre.
• Existing access rights to the Thoroughfare would be retained.

Cumberland Street

Two options are being considered for Cumberland Street, both designed to support the wider town centre improvements:

Option 1 – One-way westbound

• Cumberland Street would become one-way westbound towards Ipswich Road, giving drivers an exit route from Quay Street.
• Existing traffic restrictions would be removed.

Option 2 - Modal filter

• A modal filter to restrict certain vehicle types would be installed between Woodbridge School Prep and the Royal Mail exit.
• Emergency and waste vehicles could still pass through using removable bollards.
• Two-way access from Ipswich Road would be kept minimising disruption.
• The short section between Quay Street and the filter would also be two-way, maintaining access for residents and businesses.
• Existing traffic restrictions removed.

The proposals come following a public consultation earlier this year to gather views on how to provide more options and to make it safer to walk, wheel and cycle by providing more space – such as widening pavements - safer crossing points and creating safer junctions.

Following this consultation plans to widen pavements on Quay Street to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility have already been confirmed.

To support these improvements, Quay Street will become one-way northbound.

Councillor Alexander Nicoll, Suffolk County Council Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, said: “We have been working closely with Woodbridge Town Council to assess and develop new proposals for traffic movements to help make central Woodbridge quieter, safer and more welcoming for everyone.

“We want to know what people think of these proposals for the Thoroughfare and Cumberland Street and I would urge them to give us their thoughts.

Councillor Nigel Phipps, Mayor of Woodbridge and chair of Woodbridge Town Council, said: “Woodbridge Town Council is pleased to support Suffolk County Council on this third consultation.

“We look forward to hearing the views of our residents before final decisions are made regarding the Active Travel programme for the town centre."

A survey to gather views has now started and runs until December 12.

For more details and to take part in the survey, go to the Active Travel Woodbridge website.

For a printed copy of the survey to be posted please contact  Customer.services@suffolk.gov.uk  or call 0345 603 1842.