Suffolk councillor challenges MP bypass or bust claim

Councillor Chris Chambers, cabinet member for transport strategy, planning and waste at Suffolk County Council has challenged claims made by Ipswich's MP and that it is time to have a "grown up conversation" about the county's transport.

Mr Abbott launched a petition calling for Suffolk County Council to revive the Northern Bypass project, which has long seen by many as the solution to the traffic issues in the town, saying it is "bypass or bust".

The petition has more than 1,500 signatures. 

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott with the Orwell Bridge (Image: Office of Jack Abbott) Read more: No Northern Bypass will cost Ipswich, says Jack Abbott

But the project, known officially as the Ipswich Northern Route (INR) was abandoned by Suffolk County Council in early 2020 after losing "political support" amid little desire from district councils for the 15,000 homes required for the road, and protests from villagers. 

Ipswich has been marred by traffic chaos due to lane closures on the Orwell Bridge (Image: Lucy Taylor) In his column for the EADT, Mr Chambers said: "The idea that the council avoided this issue, or was indecisive, is frankly nonsense.

"What Jack seems to believe is that his petition will be so monumentally compelling it will undo all the reasons the INR couldn’t go ahead last time and somehow make the huge sums of government money magically appear in our coffers to pay for it. It hasn’t and it won’t.

"All this does is raise the hopes of Ipswich residents with a solution that cannot progress while causing renewed anxiety for residents north of Ipswich that the scheme is back on the table.

Councillor Chris Chambers represents residents in the North of Ipswich (Image: Suffolk County Council) "Jack is also wrong to claim it is “bypass or bust” for Ipswich. There are plenty of other transport priorities that deserve attention. We need a grown-up conversation about transport in our county town, one that doesn’t stake everything on one scheme like the INR."

Cllr Chambers said to try to move efforts forward he is inviting the Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander to meet with him, senior transport officers and Jack Abbott about the county's transport needs. 

He said the county has been promised "again and again" funding for approved schemes such as the Ely and Haughley junction and improvement works at Woodbridge on the A12.

Joining Mr Chambers in calls for funding for other transport projects is neighbouring Councillor Elaine Bryce, who said last week that the focus should be put on upgrading the Copdock interchange and long awaited upgrades to the Ely/Haughley junction. 

The MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer, whose constituency encompasses both of the councillors divisions is also against the bypass, as are the villagers in areas such as Grundisburgh.

His transport survey, published in May, indicated that 60% of residents were against the proposal.

Mr Spencer's constituency is the area most likely to be face heavy disruption by the construction of a Northern Bypass, despite people in areas like Castle Hill and Kesgrave broadly being in favour. 

Sam Murray who represents North Ipswich at both Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council has being calling for a Northern Bypass for some time (Image: Newsquest) However, the issue has been a unifying debate in Ipswich, with both the local Conservative Group and Labour Group pledging their support for the Northern Bypass. 

Since the traffic chaos on the A14 and A12 as a result of the Orwell Bridge work, businesses have also come out in favour. 

Mark Ling, director for I.C.E. transport has been campaigning for the bypass said: "It affects everyone. I've made every possible case, business and economic, for the bypass and there is a WSPC study from 2016 which confirms the economic need for a Northern Bypass and the area that needs it is all there, but Suffolk is letting Ipswich down."

Mark Ling, the director of I.C.E transport (Image: Mark Ling) Any project aimed at significantly reducing the traffic problems around Ipswich would require central funding from the Government. 

In an update on Monday, National Highways regional director Martin Fellows said work remained on track to complete the work in August.

He said: “We do recognise the significant effect work on the bridge has on road users, businesses and local communities. However, remaining on the A14 remains your best route while the work is ongoing, but please continue to allow extra time for your journey”.