Formal plans are set to be drawn up for a new walking and cycling project in Suffolk after concerns were raised there could be a clampdown on motorists similar to controversial 'green' schemes across the country.

Woodbridge Mayor Eamonn O'Nolan said some had compared the so-called 'mini-Holland' scheme for Woodbridge to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) implemented in London and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN) on social media.

Mr O'Nolan said there had been some 'phobia' and 'alarmism' online caused by a misunderstanding of what the project entails.

ULEZ sparked fury among drivers when it was expanded to the London boundary in August in a bid to clean-up the capital's toxic air, with the drivers of older, more polluting cars facing a £12.50 daily charge to bring their vehicles into London.

READ MORE: Engagements coming up on 'mini-Holland' in Woodbridge

LTNs have also been criticised for restricting vehicles from accessing roads using bollards, planters and road signs.

The 'mini-Holland'- more commonly known as the Love Woodbridge and Melton initiative- aims to create 'people-friendly streets' and is being led by Suffolk County Council in partnership with East Suffolk Council, Woodbridge Town Council and Melton Parish Council.

In March 2022, the county council received funding from Active Travel England, the Government agency responsible for walking and cycling, to develop the scheme and has completed a feasibility study looking at traffic flows, current walking and cycling infrastructure and people's travel patterns.

READ MORE: Suffolk: £5m boost for Woodbridge 'mini-Holland' scheme

A series of engagement events with the public about the initiative has been taking place in Woodbridge and Melton, although the final two events planned for October 14 and 19 have been cancelled because the county council has now received sufficient feedback.

The mayor added: "They are not designing an LTN, they are not designing a ULEZ. I think people who make these links perhaps don't fully understand what a ULEZ is.

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"They are creating safer places for pedestrians and cyclists with potential reductions in emissions and potential improvements in air quality and essentially that is what it is."

He hoped a more formal plan would be put together within the next three months to go out to public consultation.

READ MORE: Suffolk news