Ipswich Stoke Bridge scaffolding to remain in place

Cadent, which runs gas works in Ipswich, put up scaffolding on Stoke Bridge in March 2021 after Suffolk County Council had requested the firm to improve the main gas line in Ipswich on the line that sits below the bridge. 

The scaffolding was set to be taken down by November 3 - however, the firm had put plans on hold due to the corrosion of the supports.

Suffolk county councillor for the area Rob Bridgeman said that the scaffolding left ever since has been an "eyesore" - and now Cadent has confirmed that the plans to remove it will be delayed even further. 

The scaffolding has been in place since 2021. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

The gasworks company has not provided a new date for when the plans will be delayed to and is still drawing up proposals for the pipeline. 

In the meantime, Cadent has said it wishes to to emphasise to residents that the network is completely safe.

Councillor Rob Bridgeman called the scaffolding an eyesore. (Image: Rob Bridgeman)

Mr Bridgeman said: "I'm not surprised Cadent has let us down with timescales, you have to take deadlines with a very large pinch of salt, this is sadly the way when it comes to utility infrastructure. 

"It really is a shame as all the residents and their councillor wanted was the site tidied up a bit."

The councillor hopes Cadent would work quicker to remove the equipment. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

He added that the equipment in the area has been left rotting and that both the county council and Cadent should work to clean it up and protect the area.

In May, the county council had announced a £125,000 grant to refurbish the viewing platform at Stoke Bridge - which is dominated by a huge buoy and a vandalised former phone box.

The buoy is set to stay, but the fate of the phone box has still to be decided.