Ipswich Borough Council has confirmed that improvement works to enhance the St Matthews Street Gateway and Civic Drive will begin on 6 April.
The project - funded through the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund (formerly the Towns Fund) - will significantly improve this key route into the town centre, creating a more welcoming and attractive environment for residents, businesses and visitors.
As part of the investment, the rusted and damaged railings on both the St Matthews Street and Civic Drive roundabouts will be fully replaced. Replacement railings will ensure long‑lasting quality and a cleaner, more cohesive look to this busy gateway.
Works also include upgrades to lighting with the replacement of 20 lamp columns across the two roundabouts and central reservations. Four of the new columns at St Matthews Street roundabout will be planted to support the greening of the area.
Brickwork along the central reservations - from St Matthews Street to Hyde Park Corner, and from St Matthews Street roundabout to the Wolsey Theatre roundabout - will be repaired and spaces replanted with bulbs to create seasonal flowering. These improvements will support local biodiversity and provide a greener, more pleasant route into the town centre.
Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich, said: “We have started to see real signs of progress in Ipswich over the past 18 months, and these improvements to St Matthews Street and Civic Drive are another good step forwards as we work to revive our town and restore a sense of pride in our local area.
"Investing in better lighting, new railings and greener planting will improve how this key gateway into the town centre looks and feels for residents, visitors and businesses. It will create a more welcoming environment and make everyday journeys through Ipswich more pleasant."
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: "The Local Regeneration Fund is seeking to add to the attractiveness of the town centre through the improvements in this key gateway to the town centre.
“Replacing the railings and lamp columns will significantly improve this area as both pedestrians and vehicles pass through. Improving the planted areas delivers environmental benefits by supporting birds, insects and other wildlife, enhancing ecological value in the area."
Ipswich Borough Council acts as the accountable body for the Local Regeneration Fund, which is already bringing positive change to the town. Projects delivered or underway include:
- £8 million allocated to bring empty town centre properties back into use - creating spaces that attract businesses, investors, and visitors, and support a lively day-and-night economy.
- A £1 million project facilitating extensive exterior renovations and restoration of the historic Old Post Office on The Cornhill, now The Botanist Bar & Restaurant.
- The transformation of the formerly long-empty Grimwades building - now home to the Jamaica Blue café and fashion jewellery brand Lovisa.
- A £1.92 million investment in a project led by Brighten The Corners, to transform the former St Matthew’s Baths into a Creative Digital Skills Lab.
- Improvements to 28 shopping parades across Ipswich, including car park resurfacing, new litter bins, and benches, enhancing the town's commercial area.
- £2.28m grant for the CLAY 1A new visitor attraction and £1.14m grant to 4YP for a new youth hub, both using empty buildings on the Waterfront
- Innovative Digital Ipswich initiatives to showcase Ipswich's heritage and enable connectivity with other places using technologies including augmented and virtual reality, live‑streaming public art, and interactive storytelling to reinvent how people experience and explore the town.
- Greener Ipswich and Public Realm Improvement projects to improve biodiversity, contribute to a more sustainable environment and create green areas in Ipswich town centre with green trails from Lloyds Avenue to the Waterfront. Enhancements to Lloyds Avenue will include seating, spill-out areas for businesses, and green spaces.
Together, these projects aim to strengthen Ipswich’s economic resilience, boost footfall, support local businesses and enhance the town’s public spaces.
