The business community in Suffolk has welcomed the end of tailbacks on the A14 caused by works on the Orwell Bridge, but warned that improved infrastructure was still needed.
At the end of last week, public body National Highways announced that maintenance work on the bridge - which had been expected to run into August - would be ending this week.
Motorists have experienced delays on the A14 eastbound and westbound and on roads into Ipswich, since the repairs began in mid-June.
The work has included the replacement of two worn joints on the bridge, while a series of overnight closures and contraflow systems were put in place to enable the repairs to take place.
Martin Fellows, National Highways director of the East region, said on Friday the works are progressing ahead of schedule which could see the bridge fully reopen to traffic by the end of this week.
The news has been welcomed by the business community but has reinforced concerns there is no strategic plan to upgrade the A14 to "21st century standards".
Paul Simon, head of public affairs and strategic communications at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, which represents businesses, said: "The news that the maintenance and replacement work on the Orwell Bridge will be completed earlier than originally envisaged by National Highways will come as a blessed relief to local businesses and residents alike.
"However, the real tragedy from a policy and investment perspective is the continued undervaluation of the road as one of national economic importance.
"We should not be in this situation."
He said National Highways and the Department of Transport appeared to have a "make do and mend" approach to the A14, patching up and making small scale improvements, with congestion, diversions and delays the norm around Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds.
READ MORE: How is Orwell Bridge works impacting people in Felixstowe
He highlighted the chamber's Broken Down report, which reflected the "harsh impact" of the situation on businesses and called on the Government to create a taskforce of local organisations to tackle the issue.
In June, business representatives in Felixstowe reported a decline in visitors as a result of the bridge works at the busiest time of the year for the resort.
At the time, John Trotter, chair of Felixstowe Business Improvement District (BID), described the bridge as an "Achilles Heel" for the area.
Of the latest situation, he said: "I think we are all pleased that any work is completed and getting through to full accessibility to the bridge at all times is always going to be a good thing."
But the congestion created by the works had demonstrated how vulnerable the road network was to the Orwell Bridge being shut, Mr Trotter said.
He has backed calls for a Northern Bypass to link up the A14 and A12 north of Ipswich to provide an alternative route for traffic.
However, he said the location of the bypass was important and should not be too far north of the town so it is easily accessible to traffic from the A14.
Share