Residents across north Ipswich are set to benefit from new measures against lorries using streets as shortcuts under a Suffolk County Council scheme.
The council is to introduce a traffic regulation order for a 7.5-tonne weight restriction on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) using residential roads to the north of the A1214.
The A1214 runs across north Ipswich. It connects the A14 to the west of the borough at Copdock and via the A1156 at Whitton, and the A12 to the east at Martlesham.
The move will extend the same protections already in place across many streets south of the A1214, helping ensure consistency for neighbourhoods.
Currently, residential areas north of the A1214 are outside the existing HGV restriction zone.
As freight traffic continues to increase, these streets have become increasingly vulnerable to larger vehicles using them as cut-through routes.
The new weight restriction will prevent inappropriate through-traffic while maintaining access for essential deliveries and services.
The restriction would apply to residential streets north of the Colchester Road and Valley Road corridor, including:
- Chelsworth Avenue and Bromswell Road
- Lower Road and Church Road in Westerfield
- Westerfield Lane linking Tuddenham to Westerfield
- Sidegate Lane, Humber Doucy Lane and the Renfrew Road housing estate
- The Street in Rushmere village, and Rushmere Road, Ipswich
Roads located within the Colchester Road and Valley Road corridor already operate under a 7.5-tonne restriction, as do streets within the Crofts and Dales neighbourhood off Norwich Road.
The new order would help close the remaining gaps so that all residential communities in Ipswich receive the same level of protection.
Councillor Paul West, Suffolk County Council Cabinet for Ipswich and Operational Highways, said: “It is important that HGV traffic is able to move as freely as possible, but it needs to be on appropriate roads away from residential areas.
“Henley Road, Westerfield Road and Tuddenham Road would remain available to HGVs, ensuring that freight traffic can continue to travel efficiently.”
The scheme will be funded by the Local Transport Plan.
Work will now begin on detailed design and programming for the scheme for implementation later this year.
