Barrier repairs over the busy Orwell Bridge outside Ipswich will be faster in future with more spare parts being more readily available.

Following a serious crash over the A14 bridge on May 9, when a car and lorry collided and broke the central barrier, National Highways has said it will have more barriers available to make the repairs quicker.

The bridge was closed for many hours following the incident several weeks ago, causing traffic problems around Ipswich.

There was also a 40mph speed restriction put in place during the six weeks it took to fix the central barrier.

Regional director of National Highways, Martin Fellows, said there was not enough stock of the specific barrier needed at the time of the crash.

National Highways had to order more parts, which is the reason the work took longer than initially hoped after the incident.

Ipswich Star: Suffolk Coastal MP, Therese Coffey at the Orwell Bridge. Credit: Office of Therese Coffey MPSuffolk Coastal MP, Therese Coffey at the Orwell Bridge. Credit: Office of Therese Coffey MP (Image: Therese Coffey MP)

At the time, Dr Therese Coffey, Suffolk Coastal MP, sent a letter to National Highways asking why there was a delay on the roadwork and questioned the length of the 40mph speed restriction.

She said: "The smooth flow of traffic over the Orwell Bridge is essential for local people and businesses, particularly lorries coming to and from the Port of Felixstowe.

"If traffic clogs up there, then it has a huge knock-on effect on local roads.

"This is why I was keen to get answers from National Highways on the length of time it took to repair the barrier."

A spokesperson for National Highways said: "Working alongside our contractors we always try to repair and fully reopen roads at the earliest opportunity and as soon as it is safe to do so.

"Renewing the safety barrier on Orwell Bridge was a complex repair that required a significant number of specialists parts.   

"National Highways appreciates the patience shown by road users while this repair was completed."

After the confirmation of parts being kept in reserve, Dr Coffey said: "I'm pleased they have committed to increasing their resilience, by ordering and keeping more stock of the bespoke barrier, which should expedite future repairs."