Suffolk Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Routes

Suffolk County Council is making it safer, easier and more enjoyable for people to walk, wheel and cycle in and around the county.

Public consultation on improvements to walking, wheeling and cycling routes.

A young woman riding a bike and smiling, pulling a baby buggy.

Suffolk County Council is making it safer, easier and more enjoyable for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle in their everyday lives.  

The Council has been successful in securing funding from Active Travel England to develop and enhance walking, wheeling and cycling routes across the county. Over £10 million has been awarded to the Council and this will be spent on a number of projects, including those set out below.  

These route upgrades include measures to help more people walk, wheel and cycle such as cycle lanes, new and improved crossings, and safer junctions. 

We are still developing the ideas for these routes and want to hear the views of residents, businesses and local groups to help us make the best changes to your area.

The timelines given below are subject to change and will be updated on this website if necessary. The maps shown are for reference only, no designs or changes are shown as we want input from the community before designs are finalised.

You can use the bar at the top of the page to navigate to the route you want to know more about.

Have your say

We are keen to hear what people would like to see on the routes identified below. Knowing about the challenges you face, what you would change and how you use the space will help us design places that work for everyone.

You can have your say by filling out the relevant surveys below

The surveys close on the 23rd November 2023.

If you would prefer to fill in a hard copy version of a survey, please contact us via email:     customer.services@suffolk.gov.uk   or call us on: 0345 603 1842

The benefits of physical activity and active travel from the Gear Change report.

Why is improving active travel infrastructure important?

The aim of these improvements is to help more people to walk, wheel and cycle in the longer term in order to benefit from improved health, air quality, congestion, road safety and to support the local economy.

You can find out more information about these benefits and the national plan to get more people travelling actively in the  Department for Transport's Gear Change report .

School Travel

We know that children want to travel actively, but the biggest barrier is concerns over safety. We are trapped in a vicious cycle, with many parents worrying that walking and cycling to school is too dangerous because of car traffic. They instead choose to drive their children to school, making the situation worse. 

Most children live close enough to school to walk, wheel or cycle -  81% of households are within 800m of a primary school  - and we know that this is how they would travel if it was up to them.

To allow parents and children to travel the way they would like we need to create an environment where travelling actively is easy, safe and enjoyable. Creating good quality cycle and pedestrian routes with safe crossings is key. Reducing traffic directly outside the school gates also helps to create a more welcoming, safer and calmer environment for all. Lastly, giving families the skills and confidence to travel actively through sessions like learn to ride, cycle maintenance and scooter skills will help create a culture where active travel is the first choice.  

To find out more about how you can travel sustainably in Suffolk  head over to The Way to Go Suffolk  where you'll find lots of helpful information.

Overview Map

Below is a map showing all the routes that have been identified.

Click 'expand' in the top right to view in a larger format. Zoom in and out using the buttons in the bottom left or move the map around by clicking and dragging to see more detail. The button in the bottom left is the key, all the 'Connecting Ipswich' schemes are in blue.

Nacton Road, Ipswich

Let us know your views on Nacton Road by  taking our survey here. 

We are looking at how we can make improvements to Nacton Road in Ipswich, between Maryon Road and Felixstowe Road.  

Nacton Road in Ipswich is an important arterial route in the town, linking the town centre with the eastern suburbs and Ransomes Industrial Estate. The road itself currently has good provision for motor vehicle traffic, with more limited infrastructure for cyclists, pedestrians and other users. The Nacton Nipper provides a regular bus service connecting Nacton Road with the University of Suffolk and Ipswich town centre.  

The area we are looking at runs along a largely residential section of Nacton Road with a number of smaller businesses and shops towards Maryon Road. There is one primary school (Murrayfield Primary) and a public park (Murray Road Park) on the route with and a number of community organisations and other schools in the surrounding residential areas.  

Nacton Road crosses through Gainsborough and Priory Heath divisions which have a high proportion of families and ethnic diversity. Construction is a large sector in the area, accounting for 1 in 8 jobs.   

  • Target construction start date: Summer 2024
  • Stage: Development (funding secured)

Woodbridge Road, Ipswich/Kesgrave

Let us know your views on Woodbridge Road by  taking our survey here. 

We would like to make improvements to Woodbridge Road between Heath Road and Beech Road.

Woodbridge Road is a key link between Ipswich town centre, Kesgrave, Martlesham and through to Woodbridge and eastern Suffolk. It is also a key corridor for the hospital through to these eastern communities. Woodbridge Road has provision for vehicles and a bus lane along a short stretch. There is a shared use pavement in some areas but otherwise limited infrastructure for those travelling actively which we are looking to address. The road services a number of bus routes including the park and ride.

There are a number of key services and facilities on or close to the route including Ipswich Hospital, Martlesham Retail Park, Martlesham Park and Ride and Rushmere Common. The area contains several primary schools and Early Years providers with Kesgrave High School having among the highest proportion of pupils who cycle to school anywhere in the country.

The areas of Kesgrave and Rushmere St Andrew have a high number of young families and higher than average life expectancy.

  • Target construction start date: October 2024
  • Stage: Development (funding secured)

Princes Street, Ipswich

Let us know your views on Princes Street by  taking our survey here .

This project aims to better connect the train station with the centre of town, running from the station through to Civic Drive.

Princes Street is a key corridor for travel between the train station and the town centre, retail areas, commercial and business district. The roads in the area have a number of one-way systems in place and a section of Princes Street is for buses only. There are some on-road cycle lanes closer to Civic Drive that we delivered using previous funding, and light controlled crossings at all major junctions. The area is well served by bus routes, with several major bus stops located within easy walking distance of the railway station.

This area around Princes Street is primarily a commercial and business district with a lower amount of residential buildings than the other routes we are looking at, but some key locations such as the Blue Light Hub and Crown Court, Royal Mail sorting office, Portman Road Stadium, and council offices.

  • Target construction start date: early 2025
  • Stage: Development (funding secured)

Ipswich Hospital to Ipswich Waterfront

Let us know your views on Ipswich Hospital to Ipswich Waterfront by  taking our survey here.  

This route runs between the Ipswich Hospital and The Waterfront along Back Hamlet, Grove Lane, Foxhall Road, Wellesley Road, Marlborough Road, Cauldwell Hall Road, Freehold Road and Newbury Road.  

The proposed route would help to connect communities to the east of the centre with the university, railway station and on to the town centre while likewise connecting those areas with the hospital. It is predominantly on quieter, residential roads and crosses the railway line which we made pedestrians and cyclist access only using previous funding. Whilst quieter, there is very limited infrastructure along the length for active travel. There are bus connections near to the route (including between the two locations) but not along most of its length.

The area between Ipswich Hospital and Ipswich Waterfront is a dynamic part of the town, with a mix of residential, commercial, and educational facilities including Suffolk New College, University of Suffolk, Clifford Road Primary School, Britannia Road Primary School as well as a host of small businesses and Ipswich Hospital.

The route traverses through St Johns and St Helens divisions which are both younger and more diverse than the county as a whole.

  • Target construction start date: Spring 2025
  • Stage: Development (funding secured)

Capel St Mary to Copdock Park & Ride

Let us know your views on Capel St Mary to Copdock P&R by  taking our survey here. 

This route is proposed to run from the Copdock Park and Ride on London Road through to Capel St Mary.

The route predominantly follows the London Road dual carriageway which is now much quieter with the A12 bypassing it to the east. Although quieter, the infrastructure for travelling actively is not consistent or high quality along the length. There is a bus service running along London Road which connects Capel St Mary with Copdock, Washbrook and Ipswich.

The route passes through the villages mentioned above and there are residential buildings and farms scattered between these. There are some businesses and organisations operating along the route with agricultural traffic also accessing it. This route will also serve upcoming developments in the area which will mean new residents and businesses will benefit from the improvements to walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure.

This project is based in an area where wholesale, retail and motor trades are the largest employment sectors.

  • Target construction start date: TBC
  • Stage: Development

Grange Road/Maidstone Road, Felixstowe

Let us know your views on Grange Road/Maidstone Road by  taking our survey here.  

This project is looking at Grange Road and Maidstone Road between High Street and Wesel Avenue.

This route is a key north/south corridor through the town connecting residential communities with key locations. Grange Road provides a link with Felixstowe docks to the south and the shops and residential areas to the north. There is limited infrastructure for people walking, wheeling and cycling on this route but buses do service a section of it.

There are a number of schools along Grange Road including a large secondary school. Seaton, Coronation and Cavendish parks are key green spaces along the route and there are a number of small shops and organisations too. The Port is a large employer and destination to the south and the town centre is a short distance to the east.  

The area has an older and less diverse population than average but with a variation in deprivation levels.

  • Target construction start date: January 2026
  • Stage: Development (funding secured)

East to West, Bury St Edmunds

Let us know your views on the East to West route in Bury St Edmunds by  taking our survey here. 

This is a large route that runs across Bury St Edmunds from Westley estate in the west through to Orttewell Road in the East, predominantly using Newmarket Road, Eastgate Street and Barton Road.

The route is a key link between residential, commercial and business areas, connecting with proposed development sites at each end and the town centre in the middle. There is a wide variety of transport provision along the route with high quality walking and cycling infrastructure in places and low quality in other places. Bus provision is available along the majority of the route.

There are key employment and educational sites on or close to the route including West Suffolk College and a number of retail parks. The town centre is a large destination and the route also passes by Abbey Gardens.

This route stretches across most of Bury St Edmunds and links diverse communities with people of all ages, backgrounds and employment sectors.

  • Target construction start date: TBC
  • Stage: Development

Connecting Ipswich

This is a package of a number of smaller projects that connect local communities with employment and education sites, amenities and services, and Ipswich town centre.

Click on each of the images above to view it in a larger format.

Let us know your views on the Connecting Ipswich routes by taking our surveys here:

The routes are located across Ipswich. We would like to know what you think can be done to improve these routes.

View the images above or map at the top of the page to see the routes in more detail but in brief the routes include:

  • Tuddenham Road - between St Margaret's St and the new Ipswich Garden Suburb
  • Westerfield Road - between Tuddenham Rd and the new Ipswich Garden Suburb
  • Valley Road to Ipswich Town Centre - between Picton Ave and Crown St
  • Crown Street to Ipswich Waterfront - between Crown St and Bridge St
  • Birkfield Drive to Ranelagh Road - between Birkfield Dr and Ranelagh Rd
  • Star Lane - between St Peter's St and Key St
  • Rose Lane to Lower Orwell Street - between St Peter's St and Lower Orwell St
  • Northgate High School area - Colchester Rd via Sidegate Ln
  • Colchester Road and Valley Road - between Graham Ave and Woodbridge Rd East
  • Commercial Way and Grafton Way - between Princes St and Bridge St
  • East-West Ipswich Town Centre Route - between Portman Rd and Grimwade St
  • Target construction start date: Summer 2025
  • Stage: Exploration and scoping

Thank you for your feedback

Sustrans are the charity that makes it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle. Our vision is a society where the way we travel creates healthier places and happier lives for everyone.

Sustrans are working with Suffolk County Council to support public engagement and increase understanding about how to make it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel and cycle in their everyday lives.

Suffolk Walking, Wheeling and Cycling routes - Active Travel Fund

Suffolk County Council

Sustrans

The benefits of physical activity and active travel from the Gear Change report.