Jack Abbott: Transport chaos in Ipswich cannot continue

Public transport was at a standstill. Kids were late for school, while their parents were either even later for work or forced to give up and stay at home. Business owners had to mull over how to manage a shortage of customers or, indeed, a shortage of workforce. Lorries from Felixstowe, the economic lifeblood of our region, were stuck.

Jack Abbott wants to bring back the Transportation Taskforce (Image: Newsquest)This was the latest traffic nightmare after the closure of one lane of the Orwell Bridge last week, after a routine inspection found safety defects. This chaos was further compounded by a road traffic accident last Wednesday morning.

It is very rare that there is any sort of unanimity in politics. Yet, if you were to take a quick look at my email inbox, or ask anyone in our town first-hand, that feeling of déjà vu, the cocktail of resignation, frustration, and anger from people of every age and background would be obvious - this situation cannot continue.

The repair work on the Orwell Bridge was unavoidable and necessary, and it is a relief that National Highways found the safety defect before anyone was injured, were able to keep the Bridge partially open, and that they completed a difficult and complex project as quickly as feasibly possible.

I am also pleased that Suffolk County Council agreed with my request to stop non-emergency roadworks whilst the work on the Bridge took place. But short-term mitigations aren’t nearly enough. Our town cannot be resigned to chaos and immobility every time a nearly half-century old bridge, unsurprisingly, runs into issues.

That is why I have asked the Leader of Suffolk County Council, Matthew Hicks, to reconvene the Ipswich Transportation Taskforce, in light of the recent closure of the Orwell Bridge. As I made clear to him, all mitigations, and alternatives, including a northern bypass, must be on the table.

Admittedly, my predecessor described the Taskforce as a ‘talking shop’, despite being its Co-Chair since its formation. However, despite this, the last Taskforce did make some useful, common-sense recommendations to mitigate traffic congestion in Ipswich. This issue is, more than 18 months on, it is unclear how many of these measures have actually been implemented. 

Yes, the previous Taskforce suffered from a lack of focus, leadership and combined will. If I was to assume the position of Co-Chair along with my neighbouring MP, Patrick Spencer - taking on the mantle from our predecessors - I would not allow the same drift to occur.

A significant period of time has passed since the Taskforce last met. I am keen to draw a line under events past, and look forwards, to see how we can work together to deliver solutions for our town.

The Taskforce would not be a partisan one, or even an overly political one. For it to be effective, it would have to include politicians from both major parties, as well as stakeholders from right across Ipswich and beyond - a cross-party, multi-agency approach.

It is why all options must be up for discussion, including a northern bypass. Shutting down any proper mitigations or alternatives, or simply going through the motions in another toothless committee would repeat the failures of the past, condemn our town to years of traffic misery, and hurt our county’s future prosperity.

My expectation is that Suffolk County Council will reconvene the Ipswich Transportation Taskforce. It is clear that our town - and our county - cannot suffer any more delays, broken promises or short-termism. It is time to deliver.