Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP survey on transport

In a new transport survey, Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer has asked voters their opinions on a range of topics hoping to tackle "vital challenges that we must address".

Read more: Ipswich MP letter to Sir Keir Starmer over Northern Bypass

The Northern Bypass has long been seen as a solution to the traffic problems that face Ipswich and Kesgrave when issues on the A12 and A14 occur. 

Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer launched the survey to gauge the opinion of his constituents on the problems they face (Image: Roger Harris/ House of Commons) While Kesgrave is part of Mr Spencer's constituency, so are the villages to the north of Ipswich like Witnesham and Grundisburgh, which would face significant disruption if a Northern Bypass was approved. 

One of the questions, under transport and infrastructure, asks: "Do you support the building of a Northern Bypass around the north of Ipswich?"

The Northern Bypass is also an option to choose under preferred transport investments, as well as the Copdock Interchange and potholes. 

One of the sections of the survey asks residents their opinion transport and infrastructure (Image: Office of Patrick Spencer) Previously, Mr Spencer had spoken against the project, saying: “When the issue of a Northern Bypass was last considered in 2019, it failed to progress as it simply wouldn’t attract the required funding needed to build it. 

"Having spoken again with the leader of Suffolk County Council, I understand that this remains the case."

Suffolk County Council has not spoken publicly about the renewed calls for a Northern Bypass.

The Suffolk county councillor for Kesgrave Debbie McCallum has recently said that the Northern Bypass must be considered an option, but that any plans shouldn't "pit communities against each other".

Protests against the Northern Bypass in 2019 (Image: Archant) Read more: Is Ipswich any closer to a Northern Bypass five years on?

Residents to the north of Ipswich have been consistently against the project and were instrumental in protests in 2019 which ultimately saw the project abandoned. 

But ever since the project was officially shelved in 2020, Ipswich residents have consistently backed the project.

Calls for a Northern Bypass have intensified since the start of the year, with Mr Spencer's fellow Suffolk MPs Jack Abbott and Jess Asato backing it.