Ipswich Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

Overview 

Local Cycling Walking and Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) set out measures to encourage journeys to be undertaken on foot, by cycling and by other forms of non-motorised wheeled transport.  The Department for Transport (DfT) and Active Travel England define other forms of non-motorised wheeled transport as ‘wheeling’, which refers to people who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs, non-motorised scooters, rollerblades and similar forms of wheeled mobility who may not identify with walking. The Ipswich LCWIP refers to these modes of travel as ‘wheeling’ in line with the national definition.

The Ipswich LCWIP  identifies a vision, routes and measures across the Borough of Ipswich to encourage more people to safely walk, wheel, or cycle.  The routes and schemes are drawn from the Borough Council’s existing policies and strategies (a review was undertaken of proposed improvements for walking, cycling and wheeled transport as identified in the 2022 Ipswich Local Plan, the 2016 Cycling Strategy and 2019 Town Centre and Waterfront Public Realm Strategy). These routes and schemes have been assessed and ranked in priority order.

The purpose of the Ipswich LCWIP is to increase the uptake in walking, wheeling and cycling. Improving the paths, roads and streets in Ipswich to encourage more walking, wheeling and cycling for everyday journeys will have the following benefits:

  • reducing congestion on the roads;
  • benefitting the local economy, such as supporting a Vibrant Town Centre;
  • mitigating climate change;
  • improving air quality;
  • improving health and wellbeing; and
  • making more attractive and community-focused places in which to live.

Ipswich Borough Council has worked closely with Suffolk County Council in preparing the Ipswich LCWIP. Ipswich Borough Council are not the Local Highway Authority, this is the responsibility of Suffolk County Council. Ipswich Borough Council may assist Suffolk County Council in seeking external funding opportunities to deliver the identified schemes but will not fund schemes directly.

Public consultation process 

Public consultation on the draft Ipswich LCWIP was carried out between the 23 January 2025 and 6 March 2025 (a period of 6 weeks).

The comments received are reported in the Consultation Statement, together with the Council’s responses indicating how points raised have been addressed through the adopted Ipswich LCWIP.

The Ipswich LCWIP was formally adopted by Ipswich Borough Council on 16 July 2025 at a meeting of Full Council. 

Inspection of the Adoption Documents

The Ipswich LCWIP and the documents that support it are available to view below:

Document Viewing Locations

These documents are also available for inspection at the following locations for the next three months:

  • Grafton House Reception, 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DE (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm) – by appointment only (see arrangements below)*;
  • Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, IP1 2BX (Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm); and
  • Ipswich County Library, Northgate Street, Ipswich, IP1 3DE (Mon, Weds, Thurs 9am to 6pm; Tues, Fri 9am to 7pm; Saturdays 8.30am to 5pm and Sundays 10am to 4pm).

To view the documents at the Council’s offices (Grafton House), or to request them in an alternative format, please call 01473 432019 or email planningpolicy@ipswich.gov.uk.

 

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