The Parish Council wishes to clarify some important points regarding the Capel to Copdock Active Travel Scheme.

Firstly, it is important to make clear that the Scheme is being led by Suffolk County Council in conjunction with Active Travel England. Active Travel England is the government’s executive agency responsible for making walking, wheeling and cycling the preferred choice for everyone to get around England. More detail can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/active-travel-england

In Autumn 2023, Suffolk County Council consulted with the public on seven potential active travel schemes across the county, in Bury St. Edmunds, Felixstowe, Capel/Copdock and Ipswich, plus a number of smaller additional routes connecting into and near to Ipswich town centre. The consultation was open for 8 weeks from 28^th September to the 23^rd November. Many of us will have taken part in this. The routes being consulted on were a result of Suffolk County Council successfully securing funding from Active Travel England to enhance walking, wheeling and cycling across the county. Over £10 million was awarded to the County Council to be spent on a number of projects, including those forming part of this consultation. More detail about this process and the seven potential schemes can be found at https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/transprt-planning/improvements-for-walking-cycling-and-wheeling

The Parish Council is therefore simply a consultee in this process and has a part to play raising awareness amongst residents and ensuring that we all have the opportunity to comment etc.

The project is at a relatively embryonic stage with the next step being one of establishing an initial design that can be shared for consultation. This is likely to be early 2025. The Parish Council will ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn more about this and have their say. It should also be noted that funding only exists at present for the initial consultation and design phase.

As with other matters, we encourage everyone to follow our Facebook / new webpage for official updates, or email Sue Frankis at clerk@copdockandwashbrook.org if you have any questions or concerns on the matter.