A cycle path between Shotley and Chelmondiston is among a wishlist of nearly 200 schemes to improve walking and cycling in Babergh and a neighbouring Suffolk district, outlined in a new plan to upgrade infrastructure.

Babergh and Mid Suffolk district councils' cabinets will next week agree the local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LWCIP) which outlines a series of short, medium and long-term upgrades needed to help encourage people to get out of their cars and on their bikes or walking.

It also hopes to connect villages without people needing to use their cars.

Among the schemes are:

• Cycle path along B1456 between Shotley and Chelmondiston
• Improved cycle route along A12 between Capel and Washbrook
• Improved crossings at busy A1071 junctions in Hadleigh
• Segregated cycle route through Hadleigh high street
• Shared walking and cycle path from Acton to Long Melford
• Continuous cycle routes connecting Sudbury town centre with surrounding residential areas
• Improvements to pavements between Bramford and Ipswich
• Safer provision for cyclists at A14 Junction 52 for Great Blakenham
• A14 Junction 49 roundabout work to connect with existing cycle route in Stowmarket
• Better segregation from traffic on B1113 between Bramford and Claydon, and Stowmarket and Old Newton

Schemes can contain a mix of measures, such as widening existing paths, creating new pavements or cycle paths, reduced vehicle speed limits, improved signs or new quiet lane designations. Babergh's Independent cabinet member for sustainable transport, climate change and biodiversity, Elisabeth Malvisi, said: "We're committed to helping make sure sustainable transport such as cycling, walking or public transport can be a more natural choice for our residents. "Also we're keen to see an increase in the uptake of cycling and walking, with our residents and local businesses alike getting involved, to support Suffolk's countywide ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030 while improving health and wellbeing at the same time." A public consultation last summer helped inform areas where improvements were needed. Suffolk County Council is the highway authority, which means schemes must be delivered in conjunction with that council, but the district councils can allocate housing developer contributions on projects. Both councils' cabinets are recommended to approve the plan on Monday. Leigh Jamieson, opposition Green and Labour group leader at Babergh, said: "The need for such measures is even more acute given the rocketing price of petrol and diesel and their impact on the cost-of-living which really hits people living in rural areas hard as they are more dependent on their cars. "There is no funding at the moment for these routes and unfortunately the county council has not included rural routes connecting villages to the towns, but having the list means we will have a greater chance of winning funding bids and of extracting funding from developers."