Orwell Bridge repairs to be accelerated but no talk of long-term solution

The big picture: The Orwell Bridge is a crucial link to the Port of Felixstowe, with about 60,000 vehicles crossing it daily. Accelerating these repairs aims to prevent further disruptions to this key transport route.

Why it matters: The bridge impacts thousands of commuters and businesses relying on the A14 for daily travel and freight movement, and is absolutely vital to our region's economy.

Key details:

• The bridge was partially closed in September after a joint was deemed "potentially unsafe" during a routine inspection

• Works to replace two westbound joints will now begin "within the current financial year", earlier than the previously planned 2027 start date

• Plans to replace eastbound carriageway joints are also due to take place

What they're saying: Lilian Greenwood, junior Labour minister in the Department for Transport, confirmed the accelerated timeline in response to an inquiry from James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for Suffolk South.

It follows a Suffolk Chamber of Commerce meeting with local business leaders and MPs last week.

Following that meeting, Stephen Britt, chair of the Suffolk Chamber's Transport & Infrastructure Group, said: "What became readily apparent was that the different agencies tasked with addressing solutions to dealing with closures over both the short and middle terms aren't really taking the wider view – to the detriment of businesses and residents caught up in the never-ending series of issues on this vital strategic road network."

The Chamber called for:

• MPs to challenge why National Highways doesn't deploy Traffic Officers during major A14 incidents.

• Better information exchange between agencies regarding bridge maintenance.

• Investigations into using a 'suicide net' along the bridge.

• Relaunching the Ipswich Transport Taskforce with a focus on the wider road system.

Paul Simon, Suffolk Chamber's head of public affairs, stated: "We believe that the current policy vacuum in terms of long-term solutions is so damaging that every viable solution should be actively considered as part of a coherent A14/Orwell Bridge strategy."

The bottom line: The acceleration of repairs suggests officials are starting to recognise the bridge's critical importance to the region's infrastructure and economy but for many, these repairs are sticking plasters on a gaping wound, that if left untreated, will cause our economy to continue to bleeding.