A12 major road network improvements

Meet members of the project team and learn more about the proposals at one of our drop-in sessions:

Date: Thursday 26 September, 2024
Time: 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: Woodbridge Community Hall, Station Road, Woodbridge, IP12 4AU

Date: Saturday 28 September, 2024
Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: Martlesham Community Hall, Felixstowe Road, Woodbridge, IP12 4PB

Date: Tuesday 1 October, 2024
Time: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Shire Hall, Market Hill, Woodbridge, IP12 4LP

Date: Tuesday 8 October, 2024

Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Held via Microsoft Teams.

Register for the virtual session online.

The improvements include new traffic signals, additional lanes, and segregated left-turn lanes to enable smoother, free-flowing traffic movements between the A14 (west) and A12, as well as the A14 (east) and A1156 Felixstowe Road. These upgrades are designed to increase capacity, reduce congestion, and shorten journey times.

The junction improvements will feature full signalisation of the A12 roundabout, with the widening of all approach arms to provide additional traffic lanes to improve junction capacity. A new mini-roundabout will also be introduced at the Barrack Square/Gloster Road junction, complementing the A12 improvements and further enhancing traffic efficiency in the area. A number of trees will be lost in this area to accommodate the A12 widening. These will be mitigated through new tree planting along the route and we are working to minimise the number of trees that will be lost.

There would be improvements to the roundabout including signalisation. Improvements also include increasing the number of approach lanes to improve capacity, and a new parallel crossing on Eagle Way. The adjacent retail park roundabout will be reconfigured with enhanced walking and cycling facilities, including new parallel crossings on all arms with dedicated road markings for cyclists.

The improvements include widening Main Road (from the west) and upgrading the signals at the A12/Main Road junction to provide dynamic traffic signals to improve traffic flow. A new bus-only priority link will connect the A12 to Portal Avenue, helping to reduce bus journey times. The signal-controlled crossing on Main Road will also be upgraded, alongside enhancements to the footway and cycleway on Portal Avenue. A number of trees will be lost to accommodate the Main Road widening and new bus link road, which will be mitigated through new tree planting along the route. We are working to minimise the number of trees that will be lost in this area.

The improvements include widening the roundabout approaches to add additional traffic lanes, increasing junction capacity and reducing delays. The existing footways will also be upgraded. There would be improvements to the approach lanes of the roundabout, as well as enhanced footways connecting to existing uncontrolled crossings.

The improvements include a new section of dual carriageway between Seckford Hall Road and Grundisburgh Roundabout, along with a new shared-use path on the west side of the road. A new ‘green’ central reservation will be created to preserve the existing mature tree line along the western side of the A12. Where trees cannot be retained, this will be mitigated through new tree planting on the west side of the dual carriageway. The design ensures the existing tree line on the eastern side is retained, which provides screening for local residents.

The improvements include signalising the A12/B1079 roundabout with integrated pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities. New toucan crossings will be provided on the southern arms of the roundabout to allow people to cross the A12, and a new toucan crossing would be provided on Grundisburgh Road. Bilney Road will be closed to vehicular traffic but will remain accessible for walking and cycling. The ‘Active Travel Woodbridge’ project team are proposing a temporary modal filter at this same location which may be operational before the A12 scheme is in place.

The improvements at the A12/A1152 Woods Lane junction include additional lanes on the roundabout approaches to increase capacity. Footways would be renewed, a new shared-use path created, and two uncontrolled crossings would be relocated to improve safety and convenience for walking and cycling. Some trees will be lost to accommodate the A12 widening. This will be mitigated through new tree planting along the route and we are working to minimise the number of trees that will be lost in this area.

In addition to the walking and cycling improvements proposed at each of the junctions, we are also proposing other improvements in Martlesham and Woodbridge to improve walking and cycling in the area surrounding the scheme.

Gloster Road, Martlesham

New off-carriageway dedicated cycle lanes would be provided on either side of Gloster Road. A new toucan crossing at the southern end of Gloster Road would also help to improve access to Martlesham Heath Business Park and the widened Martlesham footbridge.

Main Road, Martlesham

New shared-use paths would be provided on either side of Main Road with four new parallel crossings along Main Road. Parallel crossings are similar to zebra crossings, but with dedicated, separate space for people walking and cycling.

Sandy Lane ‘Quiet Lane’

A proposed ‘modal filter’ would be introduced near the railway bridge on Sandy Lane. This would restrict access for motorised vehicles, while maintaining access for pedestrians and cyclists, to discourage ‘rat-running’ and create a safer walking and cycling route. All properties on either side of the filter would remain accessible to vehicular traffic from one end of Sandy Lane.

Martlesham bridge

The existing Martlesham bridge would be replaced with new four-metre-wide bridge to accommodate walking and cycling improvements. The approach ramps would be improved  for accessibility.

Public transport proposals

We are also proposing improvements to public transport in the area:

• New bus stops proposed on Eagle Way
• A dedicated two-way bus link by connecting Portal Avenue to the A12, just north of the A12/Anson Road junction. This would include a new dedicated junction for buses to access the A12
• A new Mobility Hub located east of Gloster Road in Martlesham, to integrate different modes of transport, making travel more convenient, efficient, and sustainable. This would include bus stops, bicycle parking and potential for recreational space such as a cafe and waiting areas.

More information about these proposals is available from our consultation brochure, which can be found within the document library at the bottom of the page.