Ideas for the future of a town centre have been mapped out in a new 40-page report following a series of consultations.

The Haverhill Town Centre Transport Report has been published by Suffolk County Council and consultants Kevin Murray Associates.

The report was commissioned by Suffolk County Council’s former cabinet member for roads and transport Guy McGregor, following a stormy public meeting where people demanded action be taken against drivers using the High Street illegally.

The High Street is supposed to be for pedestrians only between 10am-4pm, but the report acknowledges that this is regularly ignored due to a lack of enforcement.

Will Austin, Haverhill Town Council clerk, said: “We very much hope that the county council will be able to use this and other information available to come up with realistic and enforceable traffic regulation for the High Street.”

Among the key areas for improvement identified are enforcing driving restrictions in the town centre, improving the link between the traditional town centre and the leisure complex in Ehringshausen Way and improving the range of activities on offer. The consultation in September consisted of events at Samuel Ward Academy and Castle Manor Academy, a ‘key stakeholder’ event at Haverhill Arts Centre and a public drop-in session attended by 200 people. There was also an online survey.

Students identified the leisure complex at Ehringshausen Way as a good point of the town, but raised concerns about the number of betting and charity shops in the town, the quality of the street environment and a lack of venues for young people.

Haverhill is one of 11 market towns identified for growth by Suffolk County Council.

Its current population of 27,000 is set to increase to 35,000 over the next 20 years.

The town council will debate the report at its next meeting on November 26.

The report can be viewed in full on the county council’s website.