New and Improved bus services coming to Suffolk this month

These routes have all been suggested by the community through the council’s “scheme on a page” initiative and have been funded through the 2025/26 Local Authority Bus Grant from Department for Transport. The grant is made up of £2.8m revenue for delivering these new or enhanced services and a further £5.3m capital for new and improved bus stops, bus stations, bus priority measures or vehicle upgrades.

Councillor Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, Planning and Waste, said:

“I’m delighted to launch these new and improved routes for Suffolk in the coming weeks. We know that they will make a huge difference to local people, because they have all been suggested by Suffolk Communities. These changes represent the biggest positive change to bus services across the County since 1998 and along with our previous route improvements, show our commitment to supporting local communities and the bus industry.”

Among the services launching on 1 September, is the enhanced First number 70 route, which currently operates between Orford and Grundisburgh. The enhanced service will improve journey options from Sutton Heath and Melton to several locations including Grundisburgh, Woodbridge and Rock Barracks:

• The number of daily journeys provided for Grundisburgh will increase and include an hourly off-peak service and a later journey back from Ipswich at 19:40.
• The number of daily journeys provided for Rock Barracks will also increase, with an hourly off-peak service including a later journey back from Ipswich via Grundisburgh at 19:40. This will provide the planned influx of personnel at the base with much needed travel options.

Councillor Chris Chambers, added: “The enhanced number 70 route is the culmination of two years of work and initially came to us as three separate bids from Woodbridge Town Council, Melton Parish Council and Sutton Heath Parish Council, alongside MoD at Rock Barracks.

“Those bids told us that transport links needed to improve in the area and we’ve worked hard with local communities to bring those proposals together and achieve something which will make a real difference to benefit people living in Sutton Heath, Rock Barracks, Melton and Woodbridge.”

Maj Alex Mason, 2IC 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment, of Rock Barracks in Woodbridge, said:

“Woodbridge Station warmly welcomes the successful local authority bid for funding to improve the local bus services at Sutton Heath, particularly in support of the growing number of Gurkha families moving into the area.

“This investment will make a meaningful difference to the daily lives of our serving personnel and their families, many of whom rely on public transport. Improved access to schools, healthcare, and community services will help new families feel more connected and supported as they build their lives here.

“The news follows the recent success of the Freedom of Woodbridge parade, where our soldiers were honoured to march through the town in recognition of their service and strong ties with the local community. The warm reception from residents was a powerful reminder of the deep bond between 23 Para Engr Regt and the town of Woodbridge.

“We are proud of the close partnership between the Army, local councils, and the wider community, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of these enhanced services in the months ahead.”

The funding has also enabled the council to introduce new services in areas which had seen local bus services cancelled or reduced.

Councillor Chambers, continues: “As in the case of Newmarket and Marham Park, the grant has enabled us to re-introduce routes in areas which had been facing cancellation of their bus routes.

“We are very grateful to DfT for providing the funding to enable us to make a huge positive difference in improving transport links across our communities, and we are hopeful that this and schemes like it can continue in the future.

“I would encourage anyone who has an idea to improve bus links in your village to get in touch - share your ideas with us through our scheme on a page initiative. As well as new or enhanced bus routes, we are also open to supporting ideas involving transport infrastructure and longer-term investment.”

Members of the community can suggest ideas for new or enhanced bus routes, or infrastructure projects such as bus stop improvements, for consideration at: www.suffolkonboard.com/news/2024/06/bus-service-improvement-plan-where-should-the-money-be-spent/.

A full list of the new and enhanced services funded through the Local Authority Bus Grant 2025/26 can be seen below: