Ipswich: Upgrades to footpaths in Bobbits Lane in Pinewood

Bobbits Lane sits south of Ipswich, in Belstead Brook, and has often been used by several residents to walk their pets and enjoy the nature that is on offer. 

However, parts of it were damaged last winter through heavy flooding, which left it with broken boardwalks and wetlands that were no longer suitable for pedestrians to use safely. 

As a result, Greenways Countryside Project along with a bunch of volunteers began making major renovations to the damaged areas this summer. 

They kicked the project off by building a new boardwalk in Bobbits Lane, which is 100m long and goes over an uneven path in the reserve. 

The boardwalk was made with the help of volunteers. (Image: Contributed) The volunteers and project managers ensured that all timber for the boardwalk was locally sourced using oak trees in Ipswich parks and neighbouring reserves.

Greenways Countryside Project manager James Baker said: "The work has become necessary following flooding during last winter’s very wet conditions, which caused old boardwalk sections to lift out of the ground and collapse."

Volunteers will continue to work to fix the damaged footpaths up to Bourne Park and hope to have all works completed in time for Christmas. 

The work would also include a kilometre of new unbound aggregate path and a new link path to Stoke Park Drive. 

All timber for the boardwalk was locally sourced. (Image: Contributed) Greenways is a partnership led by Ipswich Borough Council with Babergh District Council, East Suffolk Council and local communities.

It has worked on several projects across Ipswich and neighbouring areas to ensure that the countryside is protected and well-maintained. 

The project managers have previously worked in Bobbits Lane to clear paths, and have also been proactive in clearing areas near the River Gipping to ensure people have a space to walk.