Plans to pedestrianise Lloyds Avenue approved by council

Council leader Neil MacDonald acknowledged those that had raised concerns about the cuts to the nearby taxi bay in Lloyds Avenue but the council could not "please" everyone and would look to create spaces in other partsof the town.

Ipswich Borough Council's executive committee approved a £1.4m plan which looks to add green spaces and partly pedestrianise Lloyds Avenue on Tuesday.

The avenue currently holds a 21-bay taxi rank, and cab drivers have previously criticised the plans saying they would fight for the road to stay fully accessible.

Under the approved plans, there will be no vehicle access from the arches to Blackberry Clinic, and the taxi rank will be halved to 11 bays instead of 21.

Council members are looking to add ranks at other spaces within the town centre to accommodate other taxis.

These changes are a part of council leader Neil MacDonald's plans aimed at outdoor entertainment and a greener Ipswich town centre.

He said: "Lloyds Avenue will be the starting point for green spaces that will extend to Pauls Silo on the waterfront."

These plans have provisions for pedestrian areas and trees to be added across the town centre - which will be a part of the Towns Fund project. 

However, Lloyds Avenue itself has been a part of controversy, as taxi drivers feel that this would both affect their business and make it harder for disabled people to access taxis. 

Cllr Neil MacDonald said: "You can't please all people all the time."(Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Ian Fisher picked up this point to which Cllr Neil MacDonald responded: “You can’t please all people all the time."

A council officer stated that the restrictions on the taxi rank were made after two meetings with taxi drivers and looking at CCTV footage to see how many bays are used hourly.

"We noticed that not all 21 were needed, although the proposed number of bays is still less than the most we have seen, it's the best compromise," he added. 

Cllr John Cook says that the council are looking at bringing more taxi ranks. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Additionally, Cllr John Cook, who also represents the area said that they are looking into other places around the town centre to make taxi ranks. 

He said: "I know disabled people's access to the taxis has been mentioned, so looking at other taxi ranks will also be beneficial to them."

"Not everyone can make their way to Lloyds Avenue to get a taxi."