Suffolk County Council to review county’s road network in bid to make it resilient and robust

Highways leaders are looking to create a robust and resilient road network in Suffolk.

Suffolk County Council is set to assess the county’s transport network and what can be done to strengthen it and establishing how it could be achieved.

Areas to be examined include the Orwell Bridge, the A14 corridor, the Port of Felixstowe, Sizewell and the Ely to Haughley rail junctions.

On July 10, the county council agreed to commit to a range of measures and called on the Government to commit funding for key transport infrastructure.

This came as roadworks on the A14 ground the county’s road network to a halt.

Councillor Chris Chambers, the county council’s cabinet member for transport strategy, said: “Suffolk has been on the backburner of too many governments for far too long. This county is crying out for investment in its transport infrastructure.

“A northern bypass for Ipswich alone is not going to be the solution. It may be part of it but there are other things that need to be done as well if we are to tackle the congestion that is shackling the movement of people and goods.

“We need a transport network that is fit for purpose and the aim of this review is to see how that can be best developed.”

The report will also take into consideration future housing needs, possible funding options and the role of the future mayor of Norfolk and Suffolk, as well as any issues of cross-party support.

This will be presented to the Government.

On July 9, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said there would be no money for the Ely to Haughley upgrade scheme.

This followed Cllr Chambers sending an open letter to Ms Alexander about the need for investment on the county’s road network.