Drivers face delays on London Road in Ipswich as street light repairs force a lane closure between Lidl and West End Road until tomorrow.
Why it matters: The works, which are scheduled to finish tomorrow, have reduced traffic to one lane, causing traffic to build up from Civic Drive roundabout and along Handford Road and London Road outbound towards the A12.
Roadworks on London Road, IpswichOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk
The big picture: The lane closure is in place for minor street light repairs, causing:
Single-lane operation between Lidl and West End Road
Slow-moving traffic heading out of town
Bus stop suspension outside Lidl
Long queues, particularly during peak times
The impact: Delays have been reported throughout the day, with longer waiting times expected during busy periods.
Bottom line: While the repairs are minor, the lane closure on this key route out of Ipswich is causing significant delays for drivers heading towards the A12. Allow extra time when travelling, especially during peak times.
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Brighten the Corners
Brighten the Corners runs a diverse live music programme, training and education opportunities across three venues, and an annual multi-venue festival in Ipswich, Suffolk.
While the East of England saw rental costs rise by 8%, Ipswich experienced a steeper 10% increase over the past year, reaching £951 per month.
Why it matters: The rising rental costs in Ipswich reflect broader challenges in the UK rental sector, which faces what Propertymark describes as "sizeable challenges" with an average of 10 people competing for each available property.
By the numbers:
Average private rent in Ipswich: £951 per month (up from £868 a year ago)
Five-year increase: 34% (from £712 in 2019)
East of England average: £1,223 (up 8% year-on-year)
Highest regional rent: St Albans at £1,857 per month
Lowest regional rent: Great Yarmouth at £770 per month
A let sign at a property on Fonnereau Road in IpswichOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk
The bigger picture: Rental costs naturally vary significantly by property type in the town:
One-bedroom property: £709 per month
Flat or maisonette: £834 per month
Terraced house: £920 per month
Semi-detached house: £1,007 per month
Detached house: £1,243 per month
Four or more bedrooms: £1,422 per month
What they're saying: Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, said the rental sector continues to see "sizeable challenges from a magnitude of different angles."
He added: "We continue to see a considerable mismatch between supply and demand, with an average of 10 people wishing to rent each property currently available across the UK.
"In addition, we are seeing vast legislative changes that will affect how and if some landlords are able to continue operating within the sector.
"Throughout the last twenty years, renting a property has become enormously more popular with people, and it's vital there is targeted support and investment in the sector to keep pace with ever-intensifying demand."
The other side: Ben Twomey, chief executive at campaign group Generation Rent, said: "Everyone needs a safe, secure and affordable home, it's the foundation of our lives. But renters across the UK are facing soaring rents, which are swallowing our earnings.
"When we are forced to spend too much of our income on rent, the effects ripple across the rest of our lives. It means children are going to school hungry, and older renters can't afford to turn the heating on. High rents are trapping people in poverty and forcing them into homelessness.
"Price caps rightly exist for our energy and water bills, but there is nothing to stop a landlord suddenly hiking the cost of someone's home."
For context: The ONS data is collected by the Valuation Office Agency from various sources, including landlords and letting agents, aiming to sample approximately 10% of the rental market.
The bottom line: While Ipswich remains cheaper than much of the East of England, its rental market is becoming increasingly expensive at a faster rate than the regional average, placing additional financial pressure on households in an already competitive housing environment.
