Update on Leiston’s Transport Strategy

On the 2nd of August, Leiston – cum – Sizewell Town Council launched a consultation on some ambitious improvement plans for traffic management and community spaces in Leiston town centre. The wide-ranging set of proposals included a new one-way system, new bus routes, plans to enhance cycling infrastructure and several other initiatives to enhance the safety of pedestrians or road users, in addition to efforts to “green” the streetscape and create better spaces for use by the community.

This consultation follows on from the previous “town appraisal” which led to a series of options for reducing traffic in the town centre. Thanks to the support of Suffolk County Council Highways, new proposals have been developed to be put forward for our towns’ consideration. With the possibility of the Sizewell C development commencing in the near future, the time is right to ask for the community’s views on how we should manage traffic into and around the town centre.

The feedback process for this consultation was open for 4 weeks, within which time three one-to-one clinics and two exhibitions were held on the proposals to help the community make an informed view and send us comments. We have had some feedback on the proposals, with residents and businesses from giving us their views. Some parts of the proposals attracted more feedback than others, highlighting the ambitious nature of some of the schemes proposed. This feedback will help us to determine the future of Leiston’s town centre. What was clear from the responses was the appreciation of nature, the environment and the safety of our community are as important to the wider community as they are to the Town Council.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond with their views. We are currently analysing and summarising all the feedback into a report which we will share once available. Very soon we will be able to communicate what the next steps for the Transport Strategy are following this round of consultation.