Suffolk County Council is investing almost £11m into delivering two new bridges and a raft of regeneration projects.

Next week, councillors will be asked to reaffirm the local authority’s plans to deliver two footbridges and create a £2m programme to support regeneration and community improvements in Ipswich.

Around £6m will go towards the Prince Philip Lock pedestrian and cycle bridge at Ipswich Wet Dock project. This will also benefit from an additional £1.31m secured from the Government’s Town Deal Funding.

An estimated £2.8m will also go towards delivering New Cut Bridge, which is intended to boost walking and cycling.

The councillors will also be asked to agree to putting £2m towards boosting employment opportunities for young people, working with partners to develop the town’s arts, culture and leisure offer, improving connectivity via 5G technology, enhancing sustainable travel options and more.

Cllr Paul West, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Ipswich, operational highways and flooding, said: ‘Our driving force behind these plans have focussed heavily on the council’s key objectives to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents, strengthen Suffolk’s economy, protecting and enhancing our environment and ultimately provide value for money for the taxpayer.

‘As an Ipswich resident and keen advocate of active travel, I am in full support of these plans and am confident in the long term they will improve accessibility, decrease journey times, reinvigorate the local environment, and ultimately support with our aims of reducing carbon.

‘There are countless benefits to be enjoyed by those living, working and visiting Ipswich and we are committed to making these plans a reality. If approved, we will continue to work with our partners across the town to see these projects come to fruition.’