Suffolk County Council has approved a full planning application for highway improvements on the A12 worth around £63 million.
The works will take place between the A12/A14 Seven Hills Junction and the Woods Lane junction north of Woodbridge.
The plans feature significant upgrades to the 6.8 mile stretch to improve transport connectivity, journey times, safety, and accessibility for all users, including motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and public transport passengers.
A key feature will be to turn the road from single carriageway to dual carriageway between the two junctions with the B1438 and the B1079.
The council’s Development and Regulation Committee gave unanimous approval today (Tuesday October 20) to the scheme.
The council will now formally submit its business case to the Department for Transport (DfT) and, subject to DfT approval, work may start around autumn 2027.
If approved by DfT, central Government will provide up to £54.067m, with the remainder coming from developers and the county council.
Councillor Christopher Hudson, Suffolk County Council Cabinet member for Transport and Highways, said: “This scheme will provide significant infrastructure improvements and is an investment in our county.
“It will improve the resilience of the local road network as congestion is already a problem, especially at peak periods, and will also improve connectivity to the regions’ ports and support the visitor economy.”
Key elements of the scheme are:
- Highway upgrades to improve traffic flow and safety, including enhancements to seven road junctions.
- Construction of a mobility hub at Adastral Park, designed to support sustainable travel options and improve public transport integration
- Replacement of the Martlesham footbridge with a new non-motorised users bridge to improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists
- New bus link junction north of Anson Road, connecting the A12 and Main Road via Portal Avenue
- Dual carriageway upgrade between the A12/B1438 Ipswich Road junction and the A12/B1079 Grundisburgh Road junction, including a new layby, shared use footway/cycleway, and agricultural accessway
- New shared use footway/cycleways at Portal Avenue and north of A1152 Woods Lane, along with improved crossing facilities at key junctions
- Additional highway features, such as maintenance bays, traffic signs, upgraded signals, and pedestrian crossings
The proposals were drawn up following two public consultations after the scheme was first outlined in 2020.
