Walking and cycling network across Babergh and Mid Suffolk set for improvements

Pedestrian and pedal-power gears up next month, as councillors consider plans to improve the walking and cycling network across Babergh and Mid Suffolk in a bid to tackle climate change.

At cabinets next month (April 4), councillors at Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are set to approve their first Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

The plan sets out the councils’ approach to improving and developing the local cycling and walking network across the district over the next 10 years, to support residents in shifting towards more sustainable transport.

It identifies almost 200 potential infrastructure improvement schemes across the two districts. These have been prioritised according to a variety of factors such as effectiveness, policy, economic factors and deliverability. This prioritisation will be key to obtaining local, regional and national funding towards improving sustainable travel facilities and routes in the districts.

In Babergh, examples of just some of the potential schemes include:

• improved pavements and segregated cycle path on the A131 near Bulmer Road, in Sudbury;
• safer pedestrian and cyclists’ crossings at busy junctions on the A1071 in Hadleigh;
• an off-road cycling route from Assington Thicks to create a route to Sudbury.

In Mid Suffolk, examples of just some of the potential schemes include:

• improvements to Junction 49 roundabout to link with an existing cycle path in Stowmarket;
• pedestrian access to schools and a new crossing on Church Road, in Stowupland;
• extending the footpath on Hoxne Road, in Eye, to connect it to other walking routes.

This follows an extensive consultation in the summer of last year, which received more than 1,000 responses, identifying where residents would like to see new or improved infrastructure.

Any new schemes would be delivered in partnership with Suffolk County Council, with the LCWIP enabling the councils to ensure local knowledge is at the heart of selecting and costing routes, and that they meet the needs and are in line with the visions for both urban and rural areas of Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

Creating an LCWIP also forms a key part and builds on the ambitions of several of the councils’ other strategies. Namely, their carbon reduction management plan, wellbeing strategy, and joint leisure, sport and physical activity strategy, which set out how the councils aim to support residents to lead active, healthy and more environmentally-friendly lives for years to come.

It will also ensure sustainable transport continues to be considered as part of future developments in the districts, and that Community Infrastructure Levy monies collected from developers are available for proposed initiatives.

Encouraging a more permanent shift towards sustainable transport, building on the significant number of people that either returned to or took up cycling during the pandemic, will be a key part of the districts’ Covid recovery.

The LCWIP is set to be reviewed every three years. The councils have also produced a Vision for Sustainable Transport, providing the narrative and context for the LCWIP, and setting out the councils’ key priorities, and highlighting opportunities for active travel.

More information on how residents can improve their cycling skills and road safety awareness can be found on Suffolk County Council’s website at www.suffolkroadsafe.com/family-cycling-sessions or www.mostactivecounty.com