Ipswich town centre pedestrianisation of Lloyds Avenue and upgrade plans due final decision

Plans to pedestrianise and upgrade a town centre street are due for a final decision.

Ipswich Borough Council formally lodged its £1.4 million plans to redevelop Lloyds Avenue in January as part of a scheme to create a green route between the town centre and the waterfront.

Now, the council's plans are due to be discussed during Wednesday morning's meeting of planning and development committee members.

The redevelopment includes reducing the length of the carriageway and realign the eastern edge to increase footway width, with demountable bollards to control access from cars.

The taxi rank area on the eastern side of the road would be removed while the opposing side's rank would be kept.

The discussion will include proposals for several alterations to Lloyds arch undercroft, including putting up an 'art installation' lightbox and a digital screen, with the walls and base of the columns to be redecorated.

Two objections were received raising concerns about the loss of taxi spaces, but planning officers have recommended the plans for approval.

Officers said the plans were an improvement to the area in the interests of making it 'both an attractive thoroughfare and destination point'.

Similarly, the works to the arc, they said, would enhance its viability and sustainability without causing harm to the historic or architectural character.