IPSWICH is to receive a �25 million funding injection to help improve traffic in the town centre.

Traffic congestion in Ipswich could be dramatically reduced after the government gave the green light to a �25million transport scheme.

The large-scale revamp will see the town’s two bus stations re-built, new pavements and cycle routes across the town centre constructed and the synchronization of the town’s traffic lights.

The work, which is due to start next year, will also see the re-development of the Princes Street roundabout and new traffic management display signs installed.

It comes on the back of the recent revamp of the Duke Street roundabout which is due to be completed by the end of the year.

Funding for the scheme – which councillors have named ‘Ipswich Fit for the 21st Century’ – was announced by Philip Hammond, the Secretary of State for Transport in the House of Commons yesterday.

Details of the plans were exclusively revealed on this website following the announcement.

Council chiefs and politicians have welcomed the news which they claim will result in a host of benefits for pedestrians, motorists and bus users.

Guy McGregor, the county councillor with responsibility for transport, said: “This is a great piece of news for the people of Ipswich and Suffolk.

“It will give a massive boost to the quality of transport services in the town and I want to thank the councillors and politicians who worked so hard for it.

“There are going to be many benefits but I think the general appearance of the town will be increased – and that’s vitally important.

“Hopefully this will be the start of several transport projects in the county – there is still much hard work to be done – but this is a giant leap in the right direction.”

Announcing the scheme, which was one of several unveiled by the government, Philip Hammond said: “This government sees transport as a key driver of growth nationally and in the regions.

“Transport is vital to securing the UK’s long term prosperity. That is why these schemes are so important and why I will continue to argue for investment which delivers long-term benefits for both the travelling public and the economy as a whole.”

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker is due to visit Ipswich today to officially announce the development along with representatives from Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council.

IPSWICH: The �25 million transport revamp will see a number of large-scale changes made to the town centre.

These include:

1) Improving the town’s two bus stations - the work will see improved entrance and egress arrangements for buses, upgraded passenger waiting facilities, better interchange and drop off facilities, real time passenger information, and high quality cycle storage.

2) Linking the town’s traffic lights - linking the system will improve the movement of all road users at any time of day - and during accidents. It will manage traffic better in congested areas and allow better bus movement.

3) Real time bus information signs - these will display up-to-date bus travel information allowing passengers to select their desired route more easily.

4) Real time traffic signs - five signs will be installed on main routes into Ipswich advising drivers with traffic and parking information.

5) Enhancing the walk and cycle network - eight new routes will be created for pedestrians and cyclists across the town centre.

6) The re-development of the Princes Street roundabout - the roundabout will be replaced by a traffic junction with traffic lights.