Orwell Bridge works set for next 6 months, Suffolk MP told

James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for South Suffolk, wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh MP, regarding the Orwell Bridge on October 4.

He asked the minister “what her planned timetable is for funding remedial work on the Orwell Bridge, Suffolk; and if she will take steps to accelerate the provision of that funding?”

Roads leading into Ipswich became gridlocked last month, after a routine inspection of the bridge on September 6 found that one of its joints was in a "potentially unsafe condition."

This resulted in the closure of one lane of the westbound carriageway and subsequent traffic issues across the town.

The bridge reopened fully on September 19.

However, this closure reignited debate on how to deal with the gridlocked traffic which inevitably results from issues with the Orwell Bridge.

Closure of the Orwell Bridge inevitably results in traffic chaos for Ipswich. (Image: Sonya Duncan) James Cartlidge, MP for South Suffolk, wrote to the Department of Transport regarding the Orwell Bridge earlier this month. (Image: Office of James Cartlidge) On Monday, Mr Cartlidge received a response to his query from Lilian Greenwood, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department of Transport.

Ms Greenwood said: “The replacement of all 4 bridge joints on Orwell Bridge had been included within a scheme of planned works scheduled for construction starting in 2027.

“Due to the recent failure of one of the two westbound joints, National Highways is accelerating the replacement of both joints on the westbound carriageway to start within the current financial year.”

The financial year begins in April, meaning that works can be expected to commence in the next six months.

Ms Greenwood continued: “National Highways is in the process of developing the proposal for replacing the 2 eastbound joints as part of the planned scheme of works.”

A meeting was held on October 9 between Suffolk Chamber of Commerce’s Transport & Infrastructure Group (TIG), National Highways, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk MPs and members of the business community to discuss the impact of closures along the busy trunk road - especially on the Orwell Bridge.

As a result of the meeting, Suffolk Chamber has called on MPs to challenge the Department for Transport on why National Highways do not deploy traffic officers during major incidents along the A14.

The A14 Improvement Group is expected to release its findings in the New Year.