After a year-long trial, no incidents or accidents, and the public in favour – cycling on Felixstowe’s promenade is set to be made permanent.

Suffolk Coastal councillors will make the decision tomorrow after considering the results and experiences of the pilot project.

Full council is recommended to approve the permanent removal of signs banning cycling so that it will not be an offence under the bylaws as it will not be enforceable.

TJ Haworth-Culf, cabinet member with responsibility for customers, communities and leisure, said: “To promote safe cycling and warn pedestrians of the mixed use for the shared space, permanent signage will be required at key points along the prom, particularly in areas where the prom narrows or there is a high footfall, such as near the Pier Head.

“The location of these signs requires careful assessment prior to placing as there are multiple entrances onto the prom, either through the floodgates and general ‘walk on’ entrances or further north, where access is completely unrestricted all the way up to Cobbold’s Point as the prom merges with the footpath along the side of Undercliff Road.”

Of the 35 comments received during appeals for feedback during the trial, 22 responses– 65 per cent – were in favour of the continuation of the ability to cycle on the prom.

There were , seven against while six expressed concerns or suggestions on improvements if the byelaw was not enforced, including the need for riders to show consideration to pedestrians at busy times and in congested places, and the possibility of a segregated lane for cyclists.

Suffolk County Council highways also suggested a segregated white line to keep cyclists and pedestrians apart and this was considered by both Felixstowe Forward and Felixstowe Town Council as well as the district health and safety advisor at the council.

All though sided with the recommendation from Cycling UK which said “segregating cyclists and imposing speed limits on them along seafronts and promenades is unnecessary: research shows that cyclists modify their behaviour in the presence of pedestrians, for example by slowing down, taking avoiding action or dismounting as necessary”.