A TRAFFIC-choked market town could see its congestion problems eased by a �1million cash injection.

Dave Gooderham

A TRAFFIC-choked market town could see its congestion problems eased by a �1million cash injection.

Highways bosses have announced a raft of ambitious proposals to ease traffic problems in Sudbury - two months after it was revealed that the town would have to wait 15 years to get a much-coveted bypass.

Ensuring heavy goods vehicles are sent from the town centre has been highlighted as a priority by Suffolk County Council which is beginning a year-long package of detailed surveys and consultations before work commences.

Guy McGregor, the council's portfolio holder for highways and public transport, said: “When you think about this historic town, the way traffic circulates is like one giant roundabout through Sudbury.

“Just because the town is not going to have a bypass for a while doesn't mean we will just do nothing. Traffic is quite considerable and we need to find improvements.”

The projects, which were identified at a public meeting organised by the Sudbury Society, could include new roundabouts and HGV restrictions in the town.

Mr McGregor also pinpointed much-needed improvements to the town's bus station with a massive overhaul costing an estimated �500,000.

He said: “We need to make sure the bus station is improved if we are going to expect people to travel on public transport. All these projects will take time to work.

“I think every authority, the county, district and town councils, need to make a bigger effort to communicate with Sudbury citizens so they know everything is being done to improve their town.”

Other potential schemes would see �300,000 spent on improving the Belle Vue junction and �50,000 on guaranteeing an improvement in air quality in Cross Street - a known problematic area.

In January, a public meeting heard that they might have to wait at least 15 years for a bypass to ease congestion due to financial constraints.

Community leaders had been calling for a relief road to take heavy goods vehicles away from its historic centre for 40 years.