How can Ipswich overcome Orwell Bridge closure issues

Issues began when National Highways were forced to close one lane of the bridge on September 6 due to "potentially unsafe conditions".

This has resulted in another instance of the town experiencing grid locks, bus service cancellations and traffic issues for more than seven days. 

National Highways said the partial closure was taken after a potential defect was detected and to prevent a full carriageway closure.

The organisation began work on Friday (September 13) and announced overnight closures on Tuesday, September 17 and Wednesday, September 18 to fix a "complex problem".

Town MP Jack Abbott wrote to the Leader of Suffolk County Council (Image: Roger Harris/House of Commons) At the end of last week, Jack Abbott, the MP for Ipswich wrote to Suffolk County Council leader Matthew Hicks calling for all non essential roadworks in the town to be stopped to ensure the steady flow of traffic.

Mr Abbott said: “I have been contacted by numerous constituents and local businesses who have been affected by the closure of one lane of the Orwell Bridge, which is harming our local economy and causing chaos in our town." 

The Labour MP also called for the revival of the Ipswich Transportation Taskforce which has not met since last year after making "no meaningful change".

But according to Mark Ling, the director of I.C.E. Transport, more voices are needed to get to the heart of the problem.

Mark Ling is also chairman of the Broomhill Pool Trust (Image: Lucy Taylor/Archant)The campaigner said: "My concern is that Jack is a lone MP, representing half of Ipswich, this is a bigger issue.

"The bridge affects the economy of not only Ipswich and Felixstowe, where it is of course is critical but the whole of the east and the national supply chain.

"Where is the collective? Where are the other two [Ipswich] MPs? Where is Suffolk County Council? Where is East Suffolk District Council? Where is Mid-Suffolk and Babergh? Where is the Suffolk Chamber [of Commerce]? Where is the new Suffolk business board? Where is Transport East?"

The bridge has been in operation for over 40 years (Image: Sonya Duncan) The Orwell Bridge is part of the wider A14 which not only surrounds the town but is the major road into and out of Felixstowe Port, the UK's largest port. 

Mr Ling is quick to note that every major continental port such as Rotterdam, London Gateway, or Southampton have motorways with the exception of Felixstowe, which in comparison has had much less investment.

"This has been allowed to continue for over 40 years," he says.

It is estimated that closures of the Orwell Bridge costs Ipswich £1 million every day, as well as a huge increase in traffic delays.

Issues with the Orwell Bridge has seen traffic delays on the A14 (Image: Lucy Akers)

Proposed solutions to the issues have included a long talked about 'Northern Bypass' with frequent attempts to get the project off the ground.

Mr Ling said: "Here we are five years later, plan B has been and gone and now there is no plan.

Work on the bridge will be carried out next week (Image: Lucy Akers)"The public have been blind sided because the northern bypass is gone, it's dead.

"I'm afraid that Jack [Abbott] won't be able to do this on his own, it is going to take a collective."

Paul Simon, head of public affairs and strategic communications at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce called the unforeseen closure "bad for business".

The Suffolk chamber of commerce have called on the Secretary of Transport to intervene (Image: Newsquest) The chamber spokesperson said; "The current and unforeseen closure of one westbound lane on the Orwell Bridge and the resulting traffic delays in and around Ipswich is quite simply bad for business and bad for every road user affected.

"It is also reputationally embarrassing for Suffolk.

“Suffolk Chamber has written to the four MPs whose constituencies are most affected by these repeated gridlocks to both pressurise the Department for Transport for an investigation into the impact on the local and national economy."

Both Mr Simon and Mr Ling agree that the repeated closures and issues with the Orwell Bridge are no longer local issues tied to Ipswich's economy.

A collective effort will be needed to solve the problems of the Orwell Bridge (Image: Newsquest) Instead it is now a national issue and will require cooperation to work towards a viable solution. 

Failure to rectify the ongoing problems with the bridge will be "devastating" says Mr Ling.

"It says Ipswich is closed for business.

"It says Felixstowe doesn't have a robust supply chain."

A diversion route will be in place while the carriageway is closed (Image: Lucy Taylor)The full westbound carriageway will close overnight between 9pm and 5pm for two nights.

The carriageway is expected to be fully reopened by 5am on Thursday, September 19, with the following diversion in place.

• Turn at J57 on to the A14.
• Follow to J58 and take the exit slip to the A12.
• Join the A1214 from the 1st exit on roundabout Martlesham.
• Continue on A1214 (main road and Woodbridge road) to the roundabout.
• Take the 3rd exit to Colchester Road to rejoin the A1214 (Valley road).
• Continue on A1214 (Yarmouth road) and turn right to Join A1214 (London Road).
• Continue to Copdock Interchange.

If you wish to express your views concerning the Orwell Bridge, email oliver.picton@newsquest.co.uk