MORE than �1m is set to be poured into Lowestoft as part of a huge raft of improvements to the town's road network.Fourteen projects will be carried out between now and 2012, including the introduction of a brand new footbridge over the rail line at Oulton Broad South.

MORE than �1m is set to be poured into Lowestoft as part of a huge raft of improvements to the town's road network.

Fourteen projects will be carried out between now and 2012, including the introduction of a brand new footbridge over the rail line at Oulton Broad South.

Cash has been made available through Suffolk County Council's local transport plan, with Lowestoft attracting one of the largest investments at �1.1m.

The programme will begin in April and focus on developing a number of new pedestrian and cycling crossings, as well as other road improvements.

The main project will be the construction of the bridge, costing a whopping �675,000, which will benefit people on bicycles and on foot.

It will be split into two phases with the design work starting this year and construction continuing until 2012.

Other work includes the implementation of cycle routes from Normanston Drive to the south end of the town centre, the South Lowestoft Industrial Estate to Oulton Broad, Pier Terrace to the Bascule Bride, Oulton Broad to Normanston Drive and Woods Loke to Church Road, totalling a massive �586,000.

Traffic signals will be installed at St Peters Street and Boston Road, costing �25,000, surfacing at �42,000 in Hubbard's Loke, a �10,000 footpath linking Carlton Colville to Gisleham and bridleway improvement at Woods Loke at �30,000.

A �120,000 traffic management and cycling scheme in London Road South and Belvedere Road also feature, as well as a �20,000 cycle and pedestrian route linking the OrbisEnergy Centre to the town centre and surfacing near Spashett Road and the crossing of the A12, costing �25,000.

Guy McGregor, portfolio holder for roads and transport at the council said their investment in Lowestoft was testament to their commitment in Lowestoft.

'I believe we need to improve the quality of life for the people of Lowestoft, not just the roads and transport, but everything - all this is very important to counteract the doom and gloom, such as the closure of the television company.

'We are playing our part to encourage investment as we want people to come into Lowestoft. There's no doubt about it, we are committed to Lowestoft and we hope and pray it remains as it is - in Suffolk, so the level of services and investment keep on improving.'

The county council have already invested strongly in the south Lowestoft relief road, the refurbishment of the bus station and the provision of real-time passenger information, which will be launched next month.

Aside from the money released through the local transport plan, a further �7.9m will be pumped into projects across the county, including �1.3m on schemes to reduce road accident casualties.