Stowmarket transport strategy
Stowmarket is approximately centrally on the A14 corridor between Ipswich
and Bury St Edmunds, with a population of approximately 16,000. Including
the addition of the peripheral villages of Combs and Stowupland, the
population grows by approximately an extra 3,000. Stowmarket is also located
within the peripheral area of the Haven Gateway growth area.
Across Mid Suffolk district Stowmarket will see the greatest level of planned
housing development, with 1,400 new dwellings allocated until 2021 and a
further 600 (2,000 in total) to 2031; this represents a significant allocation of
growth for the district. 105.9ha of land has also been allocated for
employment purposes, with the estimated creation of 3,500 jobs,
predominantly east of the town. The most significant proportion of new
housing is allocated in the west of the town and this creates a potential
problem of connections between the new housing and employment areas.
Data from the 2001 Census suggests that where people were travelling into
Stowmarket, this is predominantly by car, including those people who live and
work in Stowmarket as well as those from other villages within the AAP area.
This data is now old but there has been no great change in trends to suggest
a great difference would be shown today. Data tables can be found within
Appendix i).
The intention of this paper is to summarise the transport issues related to
Stowmarket, including those associated with travelling from or into the area
from further afield and to propose a strategy for future transport improvements
in Stowmarket.
Suffolk’s Sustainable Community Strategy has the priority themes:
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Creating the Greenest County;
A Prosperous and Vibrant Economy;
Learning and Skills for the Future;
Safe, Healthy, and Inclusive Communities
Reflecting the Suffolk themes, The priority themes adopted by Mid Suffolk
Local Strategic Partnership are:
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Stronger Communities;
Sustainable Communities;
Safer Communities.
Our future priorities for transport in Stowmarket reflect these wider policy
aspirations, which are in accord with the transport policies set out in the East
of England Plan, national policy guidance and the Suffolk Local Transport
Plan. Our strategic approach to future urban transport problems is threefold:
1. Reduce the need to travel and, where people need to travel, reduce
reliance on private cars.
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2. Management and control of existing transport networks to maximise
their efficiency and to ensure that road space and time are allocated to
more sustainable transport uses.
3. Improvements to sustainable transport networks so that their use is
made more attractive and efficient. The promotion of active travel
(walking and cycling) will also have significant health benefits for local
people.
Our strategy for transport based on this approach will complement sustainable
development proposals withinin the AAP. Taken together this should mean
that Stowmarket will be better placed to accommodate the proposed new
development, to cope with background growth and to play its part in dealing
with the challenges of tackling climate change and improving local health
outcomes.
Proposed developments in Stowmarket will be expected to connect to the
established transport networks within Stowmarket, to contribute towards their
development. Developments will also be expected to fund improvements to
provide better management and control of traffic to mitigate their adverse
effects on the operation of the highway network.
Role of the A14
The A14 passes to the north of Stowmarket. The A14 serves a strategic role
in the movement of goods between the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich to the
midlands and the north but is also heavily used by local traffic.
The primary objective of the Highways Agency is to work to ensure the freeflow of traffic using this road and to reduce congestion. However, due to
Stowmarket’s proximity to the A14 and the existence of western and eastern
junctions serving the town, a concern is the use of the A14 by local traffic to
avoid passing through the town to access the other side, potentially to the
detriment of through traffic.
A concern of the Highways Agency therefore is to reduce the impact of any
development in Stowmarket on the A14 for local traffic movements. This will
be of particular concern should the town centre become more congested
following any increases in traffic demand. A key issue related to this is that of
a proposed link-road to support development to the north-west of the town.
Role of other primary roads
Other primary roads serving Stowmarket are the A140, linking Ipswich to
Norwich, and the A1120, linking Stowmarket to the east of the county and
joining the A12 at Yoxford. There is also a network of lower classification
roads linking Stowmarket with its hinterland.
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These roads are generally all single carriageways, many of restricted width.
There are concerns about thespeed, size, and volume of vehicles using them.
Heavy lorries can be of particular concern for residents and it is important that
where appropriate, management schemes are in place. Any proposed
development in or around Stowmarket likely to lead to additional HGV traffic
should take into consideration appropriate location and whether local roads
are appropriate for the size of vehicles that will be using them.
Pressure from the proposed new developments, mainly residential to the
north-west and employment to the east, will, when added to predicted future
background growth, put the local transport network under further strain. In
order to mitigate against this measures are required to reduce demand,
manage and control traffic and to encourage the use of alternative modes of
transport as the main priority.
Development and extension of the existing sustainable transport networks,
with new connections to development sites will create high quality facilities for
pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users that can provide a viable
alternative to the private car.
This is of particular importance for those routes through the town centre and
Combs Ford, where there are already concerns over increasing levels of
traffic. Four key areas that have been identified as needing consideration are:
1. Starhouse Lane/Union Road
2. Combs Lane/Finborough Road (B1115)
3. Access between Combs Ford and Stowmarket along Ipswich
Road/Poplar Hill area.
4. Station Road/Gipping Way
Proposed link road to A14
The proposed link road stems from a planning decision in the 1980s, know as
the ‘Luck decision’, in which further growth of housing to the north-west of
Stowmarket is linked to a requirement for a new link road. It has been
suggested subsequently that this road should connect with the A14 at junction
49. The purpose of the link road would be to relieve the town centre from
traffic generated by the developments, by connecting them to the A14. A new
road would also be likely to be used by existing traffic. The link road may also
attract traffic from further afield, placing further strain on the local road
network and increasing the use of the A14 for local trips.
The provision of easy access to the A14 from the new developments may
make it more difficult to reduce traffic demand and promote sustainable travel
alternatives.
Since the 1980s national, regional, and local transport policy has significantly
changed from a “predict and provide” approach to traffic capacity and new
roads to a greater emphasis on demand management and sustainable
transport solutions to support development. It is not therefore considered that
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the “Luck decision” need constrain the transport options for the proposed
development. This view may need to be tested within the planning process.
There is not considered to be a need for an additional connection to the A14
for Stowmarket other than in facilitating the proposed development, and
therefore any potential requirement for a new road will be addressed through
the development transport assessment, which will also consider how the
development impacts could alternatively be addressed using demand
management techniques, traffic management and control, and sustainable
transport investment.
Walking
Stowmarket itself has a relatively good network of walking routes, although
there is work needed to improve the experience and ease movement for
pedestrians throughout the town by creating better corridors, including
crosssing facilities.
There are also rural/leisure-based walks throughout the district that provide
recreational facilities that can be accessed from Stowmarket or the
surrounding towns and villages. Improvements to accessible bus services will
be needed to reduce the need to use private cars to get to the start of walks.
Cycling
National cycle route 51 runs east-west through Stowmarket, forming part of a
route that links Oxford to Colchester. This provides a direct link to Needham
Market, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and intermediate villages, while also acting
as a route suitable for leisure purposes.
Cycling within Stowmarket has a relatively good base network to start with, it
does, however, need improvement and new connections to become a fully
integrated cycle network that will attract significantly increased use. Links to
and parking at transport interchanges will be important in encouraging the use
of cycling as part of longer distance journeys outside of the town.
The size and general flatness of the surrounding area lends itself generally to
cycling, for both for commuting and for leisure purposes. Good links to the
hinterland villages will facilitate increased take up of cycling which will
significantly increase the health of individuals.
The key cycle networks throughout Stowmarket will predominantly be
designed to ease travel around the town from residential to education,
employment and services, with links to key locations such as the station
interchange. This cycle should also be complimented by comprehensive route
signing and the provision of funding to support the costs of developing and
implementing a cycle map. The cycle network development will be a mixture
of on and off road facilities dependant on the space available and the type of
provision being made.
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The attached plan indicates the proposed cycle oute network for Stowmarket.
Rail provision
Stowmarket is situated on the Great Eastern Mainline, and as such is served
by intercity services running between Norwich and London Liverpool Street as
well as services between Ipswich and Cambridge/Peterborough.
There are 25 train services to Ipswich and London on a weekday, operating
generally at intervals of between 40 minutes to an hour (half-hourly in the
peak). Services operate at the same frequency on Saturdays and hourly on
Sundays. Services between Stowmarket and Norwich operate approximately
every 30 minutes in the AM peak until 0900, at which point the service
becomes hourly; services operating over the weekend are at hourly intervals.
There are also 16 trains a day to Cambridge at an hourly frequency, although
every other hour on a Sunday, and 8 services to Peterborough operating
every other hour, with only 6 on a Sunday.
There is generally capacity on all services from Stowmarket and the level of
service is such that the train offers a viable alternative to the car for
commuting out of Stowmarket .
Improving the quality of bus/rail interchange at the station will also help to
promote the train as a real alternative to using the car, as current facilities are
seen as poor.
Bus provision
In an assessment of bus services serving Stowmarket, 8 have been identified
as providing good or moderate access to and from the town. These services
are:
 87, 88, 88A – Running between Ipswich and Stowmarket, with the
other principle town served being Stowupland. This is a mainly
commercial service.
 87B, 88B – Same services as above, but for Sundays and bank
holidays operating hourly. This is a mainly commercial service.
 430 – weekday only service for schools
 462 – 3-day (Tues, Thurs, Fri) service, operating every other hour.
Routes 87 and 88 are shown on the attached plan. These services provide a
degree of links to Ipswich, but fail to provide any great level of service within
Stowmarket.
There are a variety of other services within Mid Suffolk district serving a
relatively comprehensive network to all villages and market towns, though
interchange from some locations is required to access Stowmarket. This can
lead to a heavy reliance on the car Links between towns can also be
comparatively slow as bus routes pass through rural locations to provide
access to villages along the route.
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A potential local bus network has been identified which would provide better
internal connections within Stowmarket and provide interchange with the
longer distance Stowmarket to Ipswich route and demand responsive
transport services.
A potential bus network is shown on the attached plan. The delivery of this
network will depend on its long term commercial viability and on reaching
agreement with operators. The network is likely to require financial support
for some years and significant developer contributions support these services
will be essential.
Significant investment in public transport infrastructure will be necessary,
including a new bus interchange facility at the railway station, which should
come forward as part of planned regeneration of this area.
Infrastructure
A plan is attached showing the proposed improvements required for the
provision of the proposed new cycle routes and traffic management
measures. These requirements are summarised in the table at Appendix ii
along with estimated costs, which in total amout to some £6.5 million.
In addition to physical infrastructure, investment will be required for travel
planning within new developments and more widely within the town to
promote greater use of sustainable transport.
Funding the delivery of the strategy
It is likely that scope for public sector investment will be very limited over the
next five year period, and for potentially longer. The opportunity should be
taken, therefore to maximise the contribution from developers so that the
impacts of those new developments on the town are adequately mitigated.
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Appendices
Appendix i) – Travel to work tables from 2001 census
Travel by all modes (not including working at home)
Travel to
Stowmarket
Ward
Central
103
Bacton and Old Newton
69
Haughley and Wetherden
92
Onehouse
68
Ringshall
108
Stowupland
426
Stowmarket North
354
Stowmarket South
1220
Sub-total
593
Stowmarket Central
Stowmarket (all)
Total
1813
Travel to
Stowmarket
194
156
196
174
254
974
1223
2197
7
Travel by mode (rail/underground excluded) to Stowmarket Central
Work at
home
Bacton and Old Newton
Haughley and Wetherden
Onehouse
Ringshall
Stowupland
Stowmarket North
Stowmarket South
Sub-total
Stowmarket Central
Total
147
147
Bus
4
3
8
0
6
0
7
28
3
31
Taxi
3
0
3
0
0
0
3
9
0
9
Car
driver
80
50
69
59
62
172
150
642
171
813
Car
passenger
4
7
4
0
13
20
27
75
16
91
Motorcycle
3
3
0
0
6
3
0
15
6
21
Bicycle
3
0
5
6
15
73
69
171
64
235
Walk
6
3
3
3
6
158
98
277
183
460
Other
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
3
Car
driver
156
121
157
143
170
747
1336
2083
Car
passenger
10
20
10
10
15
65
163
228
Motorcycle
9
3
6
0
12
30
33
63
Bicycle
3
3
9
9
29
53
451
504
Walk
9
3
3
3
9
27
777
804
Other
0
3
0
0
0
3
0
3
Travel by mode (rail/underground excluded) to Stowmarket
Work at
home
Bacton and Old Newton
Haughley and Wetherden
Onehouse
Ringshall
Stowupland
Sub-total
Stowmarket
Total
518
518
Bus
4
3
8
3
9
27
25
52
Taxi
3
0
3
6
0
12
12
24
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Appendix ii) – Infrastructure
Description
Cycling infrastructure
Finborough Rd/Illiffe Way: Cycle link to existing provision; Pelican needs converting to a Toucan - land take may lead to Public
Enquiry, and there are also drainage issue to overcome. Scheme is underway but further funding required
Bury Road south of roundabout: extension to existing cycle track and crossing facility needed.
Stowupland towards Stowmarket: feasibility study needed to see if a cycle link can be created from the existing cycle link along
Stowupland Rd to the Town Centre
Gipping Way off-road facility, (Takers Lane to Milton Street link)
Maple Road, Stowupland: infrastructure in-place, signing required
St Edmunds Road, Stowmarket: spine road feasibility to see if cycle lane or off road facility can be made
Constable Way to St Mary’s, Stowmarket: feasibility study into link
Chilton Way, Stowmarket: cycle path to link with existing facility on Bury Road
Old Creeting Road: feasibility study to look at route to School and Community study
Poplar Hill: look at designating as a route; study required and possibly signing
Bures close, Combs ford: continuation of cycle link to school
Camping Lands: cycle links between Crowe Street & Kensington Road
A1120 to new planned Industrial area: identify a way of allowing cyclists and pedestrians to access area; study needed
Gun Cotton Way: links needed to Industrial areas
Chilton Way to St Edmund Road: cycle link
Cycle parking areas - new furniture
Leaflet-map of routes around Stowmarket
Link needed from A1120 Britannic works to new development area opposite on other side of A1120; study needed
Cycle route signing: 6 main routes – outskirts to Town Centre
Cedars Park (Tesco): Feasibility study to improve link between two sections of cycle track and manage height differences
Cedars Park (Tesco): Feasibility study to provide section of new shared use path on southern carriageway with a crossing
Stowmarket to Combs: Feasibility study to widen footway and convert to shared use between Vernevil Avenue to Tannery Road
Needham Road – southern carriageway: Provide shared use path to link new facility with Gipping Way
Est. cost (£000)
(2010 prices)
150
70
20
75
5
10
5
140
5
5
50
25
20
50
10
20
5
10
15
5
5
10
25
9
Constable Way to St Mary’s Road: Footpath widening and conversion to shared use
Bury Road and Bury Street between Violet Hill Road and Town Centre: Feasibility study to investigate traffic management measures to
make route safer for cyclists and improve access on roundabout
Contra flow cycle routes: feasibility studies – Violet Hill Road; Bury Street; High Street
Creeting Road: feasibility study to provide missing link in cycle network from Swift Road
Needham Road: Provide link from NCR 51 to employment and wildlife area
Boulter Way to Finborough Road and Danescourt Avenue: feasibility study into footpath widening and conversion to shared use
combined with traffic management measures
Delius Close to Edmunds Way: footpath widening and conversion to shared use
Stowupland Road; Mill Street to Maple Road: feasibility study for off-road cycle track
Danes Close to Seabreeze Road: Footpath widening and conversion to shared use
Violet Hill Road: feasibility study to investigate traffic management measures that could make route safer/more attractive for cyclists
Onehouse Road; Chilton Way to Thurlmere Drive: feasibility study to investigate traffic management measures that could make route
safer/more attractive for cyclists
B1113; Regent Street to Stowupland Street: feasibility study to investigate traffic management measures that could make route
safer/more attractive for cyclists
Newton Road to Victoria Road to Creeting Road: feasibility study to investigate traffic management measures that could make route
safer/more attractive for cyclists
Tavern Street; Violet Hill Road to Bury Street: feasibility study to investigate traffic management measures that could make route
safer/more attractive for cyclists
Station Road East: feasibility study to investigate traffic management measures that could make route safer/more attractive for
cyclists
Stowmarket to Haughley link: feasibility study for shared use path for NMU including bridge
15
15
5
2
Part of
development
5
15
2
15
2
2
5
5
2
2
15
Traffic Management
Lavenham Way, Stowmarket: crossing by school
Violet Hill, Stowmarket: crossing outside Health Centre
A14 cycle link to need development: close to Mill Street, Stowupland to Creeting Road, Stowmarket. No design but estimate cost
Tesco roundabout: works required to improve safety/capacity, feasibility study needed
Bury Road roundabout near Chilton area: capacity issue when new developments are in; study needed to look at capacity, also listed
30
20
2,000
30
20
10
on UTMC
Junction improvements needed: Finborough Rd, Recreation Rd, Onehouse Rd
Chilton Way/Bury Road junction improvement needed
50
50
UTMC, various junctions to include:
Bulb junction
Ipswich Road, Bridge Street, Takers Lane
Ipswich Street, Milton Road South
Bury Road, St Edmunds Road (roundabout)
2 x toucans on Bury Road between Violet Hill and Crown Street
Station Road East & West
Tavern Street & Station Road West
Milton Road and Relief Road
2,000
Passenger Transport
Bus infrastructure and new bus station/waiting area
1,500
TOTAL:
6,540
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