BBC Radio Suffolk

Residents have not had the success they were hoping for as part of the £21m Travel Ipswich scheme, claims Labour spokesperson for roads, transport and planning, Sandra Gage.

Speaking on BBC Suffolk's breakfast show, she said she had challenged Suffolk County Councillor James Finch over the slow work of scheme, including a "number of quite significant poor quality work issues"

She said: "We're not getting Mr Green light in Ipswich. At the moment we're getting a lot of Mr Red.

Image source, Google

"The reason for that is because at the moment it's not set up so that it can maximise capacity. 

"We have a real problem with Travel Ipswich in that we've had all the hassle as Ipswich residents and we've had none of the benefits.

"As a county councillor for Ipswich, and borough councillor, I have tried repeatedly to get better dialogue between Suffolk County Council and ourselves as the Labour councillors and I cannot get that."

But James Finch, responsible for Highways refuted her suggestion, saying he was available at all times. 

He said most of the traffic light control system was connected, working and already gathering data, and the latest one at St Helen's Street and Majors' Corner would be switched on next week.

BBC Radio Suffolk

The £21m travel improvement scheme to tackle road congestion needs more cash, says Ipswich Borough Council leader David Ellesmere.

Work on Travel Ipswich began in 2012 and it aimed to deliver a computer system to control traffic lights, give priority at junctions for buses and improve cycling routes.

Image source, Google

It has been criticised for the limited impact the scheme has had so far, as all the funds for it have been spent, but the work is incomplete.

Mr Ellesmere said: "It's going to take more money, I'm afraid, do not pretend that it's finished, because there are so many things that need fixing right now."

Caroline Kingdon
BBC Local Live

Maurice Hammond, the pilot of a vintage aircraft which crashed at Hardwick near Long Stratton at the weekend, has undergone a surgical procedure to strengthen and protect his spinal cord from the neck upwards.

Mr Hammond, from Eye, was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital following the crash on Sunday, which claimed the life of his passenger.

Family spokesman Nik Coleman says the procedure was "planned... as part of the overall recovery for him", and Mr Hammond is now in aftercare.

Posting on his Facebook page, external, Mr Coleman says the "surgery, whilst complex, is a normal procedure in collision cases where the patient was wearing a helmet and has suffered neck tissue and ligament trauma". 

"It is important to note his spinal cord is wholly unaffected. His CT scans give no reason for concern."

Image source, Submitted

He continues by saying that the family is encouraged that the medical team considered Maurice strong enough to undergo the procedure, and remain optimistic. 

Sedation was reduced at one point yesterday for assessment purposes, and "Maurice reacted positively, opened his eyes and demonstrated reflex actions".

BBC Weather Watchers

It's expected to turn cloudier and cooler today, but this BBC Weather Watcher has sent a sunny picture from the Stour Valley on the border of Essex and Suffolk this morning:

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Midfielder Teddy Bishop (pictured) played the full 90 minutes as Ipswich Town's, external under-23s beat Southend United, external 4-1 yesterday in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

Image source, Getty

Jonny Williams stepped up his recovery from an ankle injury by playing the first 70 minutes.

Town's goals came from Bishop, Luke Varney, Shane McLoughlin and an own goal.

An early start for our reporter Mike Liggins - he's at Lowestoft fish auction looking at the impact that Brexit will have on East Anglia's fishing and marine industry. 

Not much on offer, after yesterday's bad weather: 

Caroline Kingdon
BBC Local Live

Plans for new trains on the Greater Anglia main line through Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have moved a step closer.

The European Investment Bank has agreed a £60m loan to the operator Abellio, external, to try to improve passenger services on the key route into London and other local services.

The 378 new train carriages will replace the outdated electric and diesel trains currently in use.

In August, the  company won a nine-year franchise, promising a £1.4bn investment programme.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Leiston, external boss Glenn Driver couldn't hide his disappointment after his team let a 3-1 lead slip at Leatherhead, external last night.

The Surrey side made it 3-3 with the last kick of the game.

Abellio Greater Anglia advises that the lines between Marks Tey and Sudbury are closed, external, due to a fault with the train driver to signal box radio system.

Disruption is expected until 10:00.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Despite extending their unbeaten run to 11 matches, and going four points clear at the top of the Ryman Premier Division, Leiston, external left Leatherhead, external disappointed last night.

Image source, Leiston FC

Glenn Driver's side were 3-1 up after 88 minutes, thanks to goals from Joe Jefford, Joe Francis and Jack Ainsley, but ended up drawing 3-3.

"I'm absolutely gutted really," said captain Tom Bullard (pictured). 

"3-1 up, we had chances in the game, we just let it slip the last five minutes, poor decisions on the pitch cost us really."

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

A cooler and cloudier day than yesterday. It'll stay dry with some sunny intervals. 

Temperatures reaching 15C (59F). Watch my full regional forecast:

BBC Weather has more details for wherever you live.

Hello and thanks for joining us for today's Suffolk Live. We're here throughout the day, with regular news, sport and travel updates for you.

We'll have the weather forecast shortly, but first here's a photo of last night's sunset at Beccles, it was taken by Spurds - one of our BBC Weather Watchers.

That's it for our live coverage today, unless a major story breaks in the county before we return at 08:00, in which case you'll find the details here.

Among the stories we've covered:

• A police motorcyclist was airlifted to hospital after a collision with a Nissan X-Trail on the A12
• Police searching for missing airman Corrie Mckeague appeal for three young people who may have seen him the night he disappeared to contact them
• Prof Stephen Hawking has addressed a conference organised by Headway Suffolk, external

Scroll down for more on these, and other stories from across the county.

Have a good evening, and thanks for your company.

A man who killed his colleague with a single punch to the jaw at a work Christmas party "just panicked", a court hears.

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

Police say they stopped more than 150 people for not wearing a seatbelt during a week-long enforcement campaign in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Image source, Thinkstock

Officers carried out checks on motorists and their passengers between 12 and 18 September.

In total 158 people were found not wearing a seatbelt, 52 in Norfolk and 102 in Suffolk.

Supt Kris Barnard said: "Not wearing a seatbelt is one of the fatal four behaviours along with speeding, drink-driving and using a mobile phone that makes you more likely to be seriously injured or killed in a collision."

Seatbelts should be worn, external in any vehicle they are provided in, including buses and goods vehicles.

Anyone caught not wearing a seatbelt may face a fine, points on their licence or even court action.

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

It'll become rather breezy, and turn increasingly cloudy during the evening and overnight, with lows of between 6C and 12C (43F to 54F).

Thursday will be cloudier, and mainly dry although there's the risk of a few showers in places.

Highs of 15C (59F).

You can get a more detailed forecast, wherever you live, from BBC Weather.

Guy Campbell
BBC Radio Suffolk

A county councillor has described the scene of this morning's collision on the A12 as a "really dangerous junction".

Michael Gower, Conservative councillor for Blything, said: "Often if I come across here with a trailer, I'm very reluctant to go straight across. I tend to go left, and then next right.

"It is quite a shock to see a motorcycle on its side."

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

After a successful Great Britain debut at the recent ITU World Triathlon Championships, external, Ipswich's Verity Smith will get the chance to do it all again next year.

She's qualified for the 2017 event in Rotterdam after finishing in the top 15 in Mexico, and also coming second of the British competitors.

"I knew it was going to be tough because of the heat," said Smith. "I'd had a few days to get used to it before the race, I'd done a run and a bike session, so I didn't find it hideous but it was tough."

Prof Stephen Hawking has spoken at a conference hosted by the brain injury charity Headway Suffolk, external today.

The Nobel Prize nominee told the audience about his life with motor neurone disease, external, and how he came close to dying from bronchial pneumonia and severe malnutrition in 1999.

TWTD.co.uk

Jonny Williams played 70 minutes and Teddy Bishop the full 90, claiming a goal, as Town’s U23s beat Southend United, external 4-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Playford Road earlier this afternoon.