Orwell Bridge closure prompts calls for road investment

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 05:01 · Archive

The Orwell Bridge closure after a fatal crash on 16 October caused severe delays and prompted business leaders to renew calls for road investment around Ipswich.

The A14 Orwell Bridge shut in both directions between junctions 56 at Wherstead and 57 at Nacton on Friday, 16 October, following an early-morning incident in which a man died at the scene. The closure caused severe congestion on the A14, A12 and surrounding roads. Eastbound A14 delays reached 69 minutes, whilst some drivers faced more than two hours of disruption.

The incident has reignited calls for urgent investment in the region's roads. Paul Simon, head of public affairs and strategic communications at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said the delays and disruption to local people and the economy were 'a stark reminder that it is well beyond time that a programme of funded improvements to the roads capacity in and around Ipswich is rolled out'. He said longer closures would 'do little to reassure' companies based in Suffolk or considering investing there.

Suffolk Chamber's research found that 81 per cent of surveyed businesses feared problems on the Orwell Bridge and wider A14 corridor would hit their operations. Of those businesses, 85 per cent said a lack of major improvements over the next decade would moderately or considerably affect their investment plans in Suffolk, whilst 83 per cent said it would cut job numbers in the county. The chamber is calling for immediate measures including lower speed limits and National Highways staff to help police clear incidents faster.

How it is being reported

• Businesses fear impact of repeated Orwell Bridge disruptionBusiness leaders have renewed calls for major road investment around Ipswich after the Orwell Bridge closure caused severe delays across the area.East Anglian Daily Times · 19 Oct, 04:30
• Businesses fear impact of repeated Orwell Bridge disruptionBusiness leaders have renewed calls for major road investment around Ipswich after the Orwell Bridge closure caused severe delays across the area.Ipswich Star · 19 Oct, 04:30

In this story: Orwell Bridge · A14 · Ipswich · Suffolk Chamber of Commerce · Paul Simon · Wherstead · Nacton

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