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Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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Council awards urgent £60k water hygiene contract for homeless housing unit

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Ipswich Borough Council has approved a £59,978 contract to implement new water piping at East Villa, its 45-room temporary housing facility for homeless families on Sidegate Lane, Ipswich.

The big picture: The council is moving quickly to replace old piping and maintain water hygiene standards at the site, which houses vulnerable residents, including children.

  • The contract was awarded to Ingleton Wood without the usual market testing process due to urgency.

  • Work will include designing new hot and cold water supplies based on specialist advice.

  • The project aims to mitigate safety risks and potential financial losses from delays.

East Villa
East Villa is a 45-room temporary housing facility for homeless families on Sidegate Lane, Ipswich.Oliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

Why it matters: East Villa provides critical temporary housing for homeless families in Ipswich, with 80% of rooms designated for those with children.

  • The facility opened in August 2019 and is staffed 24/7.

  • It includes communal areas, laundry facilities and an enclosed garden.

  • Maintaining proper water hygiene is essential for residents' health and safety.

Between the lines: The council consulted water hygiene specialist Nemco, who advised that completely re-piping the water supply was the only viable solution.

What's next: Ingleton Wood will carry out the design work in four stages:

  1. Options appraisal

  2. Design and specification

  3. Procurement support

  4. Contract management

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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Mountain bike stolen from outside Anglia Retail Park restaurant

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Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

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We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Police are appealing for witnesses after a blue Boardman mountain bike was stolen from outside Tim Hortons in Ipswich.

The bicycle was taken between 10.20 and 10.30 on Thursday 6 March from outside the restaurant at Anglia Retail Park.

The blue Boardman mountain bike was stolen
Police are appealing for witnesses after a blue Boardman mountain bike was stolen from outside Tim Hortons in IpswichSuffolk Constabulary

Ipswich Police shared the appeal on social media, asking anyone with information to come forward.

Officers have assigned the crime reference number 37/12273/25 to the case.

Anyone who witnessed the theft or has information about the stolen blue Boardman mountain bike is asked to contact police via their online reporting system at https://orlo.uk/2zoxs or by calling 101, quoting the crime reference number.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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