The future of plans to create 20mph zones in an east Suffolk town still remain unclear two years after initial plans were revealed.

East Anglian Daily Times: Caroline Page is hoping to get a road in Woodbridge reduced to 20 miles an hour. Picture: GREGG BROWNCaroline Page is hoping to get a road in Woodbridge reduced to 20 miles an hour. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Back in 2016 this newspaper reported ambitious plans to bring a 20mph speed limit to the vast majority of Woodbridge had been put forward by Caroline Page, the county councillor for Woodbridge with the support of the town council.

In March 2017 the proposals went before a speed limit panel with the vast majority being passed and hopes were high that a consultation would follow.

A year later Ms Page is still in discussions with Suffolk County Council about what should be done.

“It’s been going on for years,” said Ms Page.

The proposals hoped to see the introduction of the speed restriction to large swathes of the town including the centre and roads around Woodbridge’s schools.

“If you have a 20 MPH zone it will discourage people from going through the town,” said Ms Page.

Ms Page hopes that those simply wanting a “cut-through”, about 40 - 50% of traffic according to the report placed before the speed limit committee, through Woodbridge would end up using the A12 instead.

The plans would not disrupt those coming into the town for shopping or touristic purposes.

Ms Page has always argued that the changes would be beneficial for elderly people in the town as well as school pupils crossing to and from establishments such as Farlingaye.

For her the plans are even more timely after the recent damage that left the Old Bell and Steelyard pub on New Street without it’s iconic metal work.

The speed limit changes would help lorries safely stop and go through the town’s narrow roads while discouraging “rat runners.”

The plans aren’t without opposition or question.

The proposed scheme was discussed again by town councillors earlier this month with one councillor, Josh Sayles asking why new traffic calming measures were necessary when current one’s were not being adhered to in the town.

A spokesperson for Suffolk County Council said: “We are currently reviewing the speed limits and looking at traffic calming options, in due course we will hold a public consultation on any potential changes.”