Car free zones and improved access for cyclists being looked at in Suffolk
Car free zones and improved access for cyclists are being considered by highways bosses in Suffolk to help get people commuting by pedal or by foot post lockdown.
Ipswich's waterfront has already been closed to traffic, now the council is looking at possible changes to roads and pavements as part of its 'Safer Spaces Scheme'.
The necessary road and pavement changes to help people socially distance are being looked at, including:
Pop-up cycle facilities and widened cycle lanes.
Using cones and barriers to widen paths alongside roads and extra space at bus stops.
Introducing pedestrian and cycle zones where motor traffic would be restricted to certain times of day or entirely in specific streets, particularly in town centres.
Additional cycle parking in town centres, rail stations and public places.
Changes to junction designs to accommodate cyclists better.
Creating bus, cycle or pedestrian corridors in town centres.
Bringing forward permanent schemes already planned for the future.
The council had a cycling task group already formed prior to the Covid-19 lockdown. It was tasked with coming up with measures to improve cycling in Suffolk.
Some of the findings from that group have now formed a starting point for some of the new measures being considered.