A £108 million boost has been allocated to repair roads across Suffolk over the next decade. 

Suffolk County Council has welcomed the government announcement, which is part of a Department for Transport plan to pump £609 million into highway maintenance in the East of England.  

£107,590,000 has been ringfenced for Suffolk over the next 10 years, including £3.4 million in this financial year.  

Councillor Paul West, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Ipswich, operational highways and flooding, said that the news is “extremely welcome” and will certainly help make Suffolk’s roads better for everyone. 

Cllr West added: “We still need to understand the detail in full. But so far, what we know is very positive and will make a significant difference to our road network.” 

The project aims to resurface over 5,000 miles of road across the country and enable millions of people to enjoy smoother, safer, and faster road journeys. 

The funding is part of the government’s Network North plan, with money redirected from HS2 funding.  

Other projects in the East of England set to benefit from the Network North money includes the transformation of the Ely Junction to give an extra six freight trains per day access to the Port of Felixstowe and upgrades to key roundabouts on the A12, from Seven Hills to Woods Lane. 

A new dual carriageway section will also be built to replace the existing single carriageway bottleneck at Seckford Hall between the B1438 and B1079.  

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said: “Most people travel by road, and potholes can cause misery for motorists, from expensive vehicle repairs to bumpy, slow, and dangerous journeys.  

East Anglian Daily Times: Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, House of CommonsTransport Secretary, Mark Harper, House of Commons (Image: House of Commons)

“Our £609 million boost to repair roads across the East of England shows that we’re on the side of drivers. 

“Today’s biggest ever funding uplift for local road improvements is a victory for all road users, who will enjoy smoother, faster and safer trips - as we use redirected HS2 funding to make the right long-term decisions for a brighter future.”