Ipswich council says it will try to "strike a balance" if pedestrination plans proceed as drivers say they will not give up their fight for full accessibility. 

Lloyds Avenue was set to get a £1.4m investment from the Towns Fund, to add green spaces, encourage night-time economy and pedestrianise the area. 

Ipswich Borough Council's executive committee are now set to discuss it once again after concerns were raised by taxi drivers who use the nearby taxi rank.

Lloyds Avenue is to get £1.4m to renovate the area.Lloyds Avenue is to get £1.4m to renovate the area. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

Mo Ali, a taxi driver, said that pedestrianisation is going to restrict the taxi trade as the avenue is home to one of the most used ranks in town.

His fear included that taxis would no longer be able to go to the flat surface of the avenue - meaning people will have to climb uphill to use their services.

Mr Ali, left, said the current plans would be harmful to disabled people.Mr Ali, left, said the current plans would be harmful to disabled people. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

This according to a number of taxi drivers would be harmful to passengers with disabilities. 

Mr Ali said: "Taxi drivers will not give up their fight until the Lloyd's Avenue taxi rank remains fully accessible by all regardless of their abilities and disabilities. 

"It is fundamentally important that everyone has the right of access into Ipswich town centre."

Adria Pittock backs the drivers campaign.Adria Pittock backs the driver's campaign. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

His campaign has been supported by Adria Pittock, who was the Green party candidate for Ipswich, who also works as an equalities officer at Suffolk County Council and is a member of UNISON.

She said: "The borough council should do more to ensure that people are still able to access this taxi rank.

"If you pedestrianise the area it would adversely affect people with disabilities."

Neil MacDonald will be talking about these plans on Tuesday.Neil MacDonald will be talking about these plans on Tuesday. (Image: Newsquest)

Ipswich Borough Council is set to discuss these plans on Tuesday, July 16.

In a pre-meeting report, Cllr Neil MacDonald wrote: "To realise the positive outcomes of this project, there is a need to strike a balance between the objective of improving the area through pedestrianisation and quality urban design and the operational needs of the businesses and taxi trade."

The council has said that the plans have not been finalised and they will keep consulting the drivers before work starts.