Jack Abbott MP vows to fight for Ipswich taskforce return

Jack Abbott wrote to Suffolk County Council leader Matthew Hicks last week asking for the suspension of non-vital roadworks due to a partial closure on the bridge and called for the reinstatement of the Ipswich Traffic Taskforce.

Cllr Hicks said that he has asked the county council's cabinet member for Ipswich and Operational Highways, Cllr Paul West to look at Mr Abbott's request further.

The leader of the county council added it was also right to speak to the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Patrick Spencer before making any further agreement.

On Monday, Cllr Hicks confirmed that the county council had already decided to suspend non-vital road works  prior to Mr Abbott's letter.

Cllr Hicks said that he understood the frustration people may have due to these works and will speak to the relevant cabinet member on a decision to bring back the taskforce.

A lane on Orwell Bridge has been closed since September 6. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Since September 6 one lane on the westbound carriageway of the bridge has been closed after the discovery of a defect.

To resolve the issue, two overnight closures of the westbound carriageway are planned this week, the first of which started on Tuesday evening. 

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

Former MP Tom Hunt used to chair the Ipswich Transport Taskforce. (Image: House of Commons)

Mr Abbott believes that the long-term solution to resolving the issues with traffic is to bring back the  Ipswich Transport Taskforce.

Established in 2020 the taskforce was a cross-party initiative chaired by then town's Conservative MP Tom Hunt and MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, Dan Poulter - with the Labour leader of the borough council also being a prominent member.

However, the taskforce has not met in over a year, after the former Ipswich MP called it "powerless" due to their lack of budget. 

Jack Abbott MP believes the taskforce could be a long-term solution. (Image: Roger Harris/House of Commons)

Mr Abbott believes that the taskforce can act as a long term solution to help relieve traffic problems in Ipswich. 

He said: "I am pleased that Suffolk County Council has agreed with me that, given the ongoing disruption from the Orwell Bridge, non-essential roadworks should be postponed. While congestion will remain incredibly difficult at times over the coming days, these changes should provide some respite.

“I will continue to push for the re-establishment of the Ipswich Transportation Taskforce to deal with this issue on a long-term basis. This has to be a cross-party, multi-agency priority - we cannot afford to keep kicking this can down the road.”

The impact of traffic was noted to be 'bad for business'. (Image: Lucy Taylor)

Earlier this week, Paul Simon, head of public affairs and strategic communications at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said such closures were 'bad for business'. 

While, Mark Ling, the director of I.C.E. Transport, argued that there is a need for more voices when talking about road closures. 

Read More: How can Ipswich overcome Orwell Bridge closure issues

Cllr Matthew Hicks said he has forwarded the request for a taskforce to Cllr Paul West. (Image: Archant)