Picture shows: Lake Lothing looking towards Lowestoft Harbour and town. Mandatory picture credit: Mike Page Various images from Mike Page's new book; Suffolk Coast from the air, published October 2006. For Archant use only, no syndication.

Plans for a new bascule bridge and proposals to end long-standing traffic problems at Oulton Broad North station form part of an ambitious package of measures to rejuvenate Lowestoft.

Improving flood defences, creating new park and ride sites and launching new steam train services to boost tourism are also among the objectives of an 83-page transport and infrastructure prospectus which aims to revive the town’s economic fortunes and attract jobs and business to Lowestoft.

However, a new third crossing for the town could still be a long way off.

Drawn up by Waveney District Council and Suffolk County Council along with public and private sector partners, the new document sets out plans to ease congestion through key road and rail improvements; increase the capacity of the port; protect homes and businesses from flooding; and stimulate development.

With a slogan of Moving Lowestoft Forward, it contains objectives, which are classified as short term (one to five years), medium term (five to 10 years) or long term (10+ years) proposals.

These include: Short term – changes to signalling and operation of crossing gates serving Oulton Broad north rail station;

Short to medium term – introducing private sector-led steam train services on the Wherry and East Suffolk lines;

Short to medium term – new strategic river and tidal flood protection measures;

Medium to long term – limited park and ride sites to the north, south and west of Lowestoft;

Medium to long term – replacing/moving the bascule bridge in conjunction with the location of a third crossing;

Medium to long term – improvements to the connectivity between the north and south sides of Lake Lothing;

Longer term – reintroduction of freight transport to Lowestoft;

Longer term – potential relocation of Oulton Broad North rail station;

Longer term – widening of the port access channel near the existing bascule bridge.

A steering group has been formed to take the proposals forward. It will be led by Waveney MP Peter Aldous, with representatives from the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, county council, Waveney District Council, Environment Agency, the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, and Lowestoft and Waveney Chamber of Commerce.

The document is now online at www.waveney.gov.uk/prospectus