Suffolk MPs have held their first meeting to address the closures of a vital bridge which cause chaos for residents and businesses alike.
On Friday, several of the county’s MPs and other stakeholders met at Suffolk Food Hall, in Wherstead, directly next to the Orwell Bridge, to discuss potential measures to ease the impacts of several closures.
The bridge often finds itself shut down as a result of adverse weather conditions, leading to diversions and grid-locked traffic.
The meeting looked at what could be done to prevent closures, better communicate when they happen, and invest in much-needed improvements to the Ely and Haughley junctions as a way to take freight off the roads.
Ipswich’s MP, Jack Abbott, said the only viable way to tackle the number of major issues on the horizon was through a cross-party focus involving multiple agencies to not only carry out ‘crucial works’ to the bridge but also find other mitigations.
He added: “Orwell Bridge closures are a blight on Ipswich and the surrounding area, and we have suffered fresh chaos in recent weeks.
“Last week’s meeting with other Suffolk MPs, local businesses, National Highways, the police and others was an important start.
“Our residents and businesses can’t afford for this issue to be kicked into the long grass any longer.”
Mr Abbott said part of the solution would be pursuing a ‘deliverable alternative route’.
South Suffolk MP, James Cartlidge, said he understood the challenges residents faced and shared the three actions agreed during the meeting.
He added: “First, in terms of potential local solutions, Suffolk County Council has agreed to investigate the feasibility of closing the footpath over the bridge, so as to reduce the potential for closure arising from suicide attempts.
“Secondly, National Highways are going to update us when they have a fixed date for the major works on the joints, likely next spring, not least so that we can engage with local people about the likely impact, in terms of closure and give as much notice as possible.
“Thirdly, on the wider impact of the Orwell Bridge on our economy, we agreed as MPs to continue to push in Parliament for funding for investment in Ely and Haughley junctions, so that there is more freight going by rail instead of the bridge.”
Mr Cartlidge also said he attended the East of England All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) together with Mr Abbott to ask for further engagement with the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, ahead of next year’s spending review.
He added: ” Overall, I’m delighted that we are working together across party lines to look at what more can be done to support this vital piece of infrastructure for our county.”
Suffolk Coastal and Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MPs, Jenny Riddell-Carpenter and Patrick Spencer were also at the meeting and were approached for comment.
In a Facebook post, Ms Riddell-Carpenter said: “We don’t just share borders, we share common interests too. Good to have a cross party of MPs discussing the future plans and resilience of the Orwell Bridge this morning, with other critical stakeholders.”
Mr Spencer also posted: “It was great to take part in this. Sometimes these group meetings can be a talking shop… this wasn’t, and I felt we made real progress.”
Published by Suffolk News.
