The shared space scheme for the main straight of Hamilton Road
provides a level block paved surface from shop front to shop front,
with attractive seating areas and planting, improving the shopping
environment for residents and visitors.
This phase of the road improvements in central Felixstowe was
completed at the end of 2010. Previous phases included improvements
to Bent Hill and Convalescent Hill.
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The scheme was promoted by Suffolk County Council, Felixstowe
Town Council and Suffolk Coastal District Council under the
Felixstowe Futures banner.
The road was once dominated by motor vehicles and the road
safety record was poor compared to similar towns in Suffolk. This
type of scheme has produced considerable road safety benefits at
other locations in the UK and Europe.
A limited number of disabled parking spaces and loading areas
are now provided in Hamilton Road, alongside an extra 102 parking
spaces just outside of the area, which have been created by the
removal of double yellow lines. |
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Larger photo (JPEG 128KB)
Courtesy of Steve Stannard |
At the junctions of Hamilton Road with Orwell Road and Hamilton
Road with Cobbold Road, black and white stripes form three new
‘courtesy crossings’ on each junction. These are designed on the
principal that the road is shared with pedestrians, cyclists and
vehicles each having the same priority. The aim is to encourage
interaction between everyone that uses the road so that all can
safely use it without forcing restrictions on one or more type of
use.
In the road the blocks have been laid in a herringbone pattern
which is more resistant to the forces created by turning
vehicles.