All non-essential roadworks in Ipswich will be suspended temporarily while work is being carried out on the Orwell Bridge. This news comes after Ipswich MP Jack Abbott wrote to county council leader Matthew Hicks last week asking for a suspension in road works in a bid to ease congestion in the town. The council's highways committee confirmed the decision on Monday and said that this is standard practice during heavy congestion times.
One lane on the westbound carriageway of the bridge has been closed since September 6, 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 will start on Tuesday evening. MORE: How can Ipswich overcome Orwell Bridge closure issues National Highways said the partial closure was taken after a potential defect was detected and to prevent a full carriageway closure.
Mr Abbott's letter stated that every day the bridge is closed the town loses £1m. (Image: Roger Harris/House of Commons) In Mr Abbott's letter, he points out that Ipswich Central has calculated that every day the bridge is closed it costs the town's economy £1m. The MP also asks the county council to restart the Ipswich Transportation Taskforce which has not met since last year.
It is expected that Cllr Hicks will respond to Mr Abbott on Monday evening..