A bold vision to transform how people get around a market town is looking at pedestrianising its market area and increasing bus numbers.
Suffolk County Council has released a draft proposal for the Beccles Area Transport Plan to implement changes and improve sustainable travel in Beccles and surrounding areas.
As well as exploring bus services and making areas pedestrian-friendly the blueprint for the town also mentions cutting speed limits.
A budget of £330,000 is also mentioned to bring in any changes.
With a population of nearly 14,000 people, as recorded in the 2021 data consensus, the plan notes that 17pc of Beccles' population does not own a vehicle, 46pc of people travel less than 5km to work, and only 15pc of residents walk, wheel, or cycle to work.
It also revealed more than half the population that go to work travel by car or van.
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The proposal highlights four key reasons for change - the "decarbonisation of transport", "health, wellbeing and social inclusion", "creating better places", and for a "strong, sustainable and fair economy".
One of the key objectives is to improve bus punctuality and reliability.
It says: "We will support greater coverage and frequency of services".
These include flexible bus services that "better meet local community demands, especially for those in surrounding villages," and a town bus service which includes the bus station, railway station and essential services.
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Another key objective is to support the town centre economy.
It says: "We will support giving greater priority to pedestrians in this area by reducing/ removing traffic and parking.
"In particular in the Market Square area for certain periods of time
"We will look at the use of increased seating and social spaces, more trees and planting and co-ordinated and accessible signage and lighting.
"We will also consider reducing the national speed limit in the town centre of Beccles as well as reducing the speed of vehicles via physical means, such as chicanes and pavement widening."
The documents show a table indicating the county council's priorities for investment over the next five years, including schemes funded through the county council’s budgets, government funding and developer funding.
It does not include schemes delivered by third parties.
It includes town centre walking and cycling improvements, cycle route improvements between Beccles to Lowestoft, and improved cycle links to the Beccles and Worlingham Garden Neighbourhood, which are all expected to cost £100,000 each.
And what is called "modal integration at transport hubs" is expected to cost £30,000.
The Beccles Area Transport Plan will be discussed in the Beccles Town Council meeting on December 3.
It is part of a wider local transport plan to be adopted in January.
A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said: "The Beccles Area Transport Plan is planned to be adopted with the wider LTP in January 2025 and implementation will follow.
"We are working on a forward programme of investment for the LTP and will keep local stakeholders informed as required."
What has been the response so far?
The Beccles Society has submitted its response to the Beccles Area Transport Plan proposal and has highlighted some issues in the plan.
The letter says that "some of the historic streets within the Conservation Area are overwhelmed by bus movements, particularly Northgate, Old Market and Smallgate" and if bus numbers increase, it would "make the situation worse".
It adds: "The buses are hazardous to pedestrians and cyclists using these streets.
"The buses also cause vibration which risk damage to the fabric of the historic buildings along these streets."
The society suggested relocating the main bus station from Old Market to Beccles Railway Station.
It also argues that pedestrianization of key areas of the town could make those streets "more attractive for people and encourage people to shop locally".
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