A PROPOSED overhaul of a town's road system which could prompt the Government to reconsider its need for a new bypass by 2008 has been unveiled.Last year the Government turned down Suffolk County Council's bid for funds to build the long awaited western bypass around Sudbury to relieve its traffic-choked streets.

A PROPOSED overhaul of a town's road system which could prompt the Government to reconsider its need for a new bypass by 2008 has been unveiled.

Last year the Government turned down Suffolk County Council's bid for funds to build the long awaited western bypass around Sudbury to relieve its traffic-choked streets.

Local Transport Minister Tony McNulty rejected the application saying a number of traffic management and reduction schemes needed to be introduced, before the bypass could be reconsidered.

Suffolk County Council has been working with consultants Mouchel Parkman to draw up plans to improve pedestrian safety and to manage and reduce traffic flows through the town.

The plans were yesterdayshown to residents for the first time at the start of a two-day exhibition.

The proposals include making improvements to the Belle Vue junction by introducing a controlled signal crossing to manage traffic and provide a safer environment for pedestrians.

Another option on the same junction is to open up Newton Road to take traffic directly from Great Eastern Road, relieving traffic on Kings Street in the heart of the town.

One of the main proposals was to introduce a one-way system and take away half the parking spaces on Market Hill to stop cars backing out onto King Street and clogging up traffic in the town centre. It will also provide more protection for pedestrians and cyclists.

A range of traffic management schemes, including introducing more signal crossings and islands, are being considered to slow traffic on Melford Road, one of the main routes into the town from Bury St Edmunds.

Several 20mph zones are also being considered in the centre of the town and near schools.

Plans have also been put forward to improve public transport in the town. Suggestions include introducing a train/bus interchange at the rail station and improving pedestrian access at the bus station.

Karen Smith, a senior engineer at Suffolk County Council, said: "We are trying to manage and reduce the impact of high traffic volumes.

"The Government has suggested we need to introduce traffic management measures that need to be looked at and monitored over a period of time before it will look again at the bypass.

"We need to get these interim measures in place or the Government will never consider the bypass again."

Public response to the plans will now be considered before the county council bids for funding in July.

If the funding is granted it is hoped the schemes could be in place by 2005. The council will then have to monitor and measure the success of the schemes for three years before it can ask the Government to reconsider a need for a bypass.