Councillor criticises plans for Northern Bypass near Ipswich

Suffolk county councillor for Carlford Elaine Bryce has said that "serious credible solutions need to be looked at" and that the region's Labour MPs "hold all the cards".

Since the start of repairs works to the Orwell Bridge, there has been traffic chaos through and around Ipswich - sparking renewed calls from some figures for the Northern Bypass to be brought back into consideration.

Elaine Bryce, whose division includes many of the villages in the north of Ipswich which will be affected by a Northern Bypass (Image: Elaine Bryce) It has long been seen by many as a long term solution to the traffic problems, with Ipswich MP Jack Abbott recently starting a petition calling for the project's revival. 

But Ms Bryce, whose division north-east of Ipswich would be hugely affected by the building of the road, has said that the "plans are nothing more than a concept" and that there should be a focus on "easier wins" for Suffolk's infrastructure.

She said: "The plans were abandoned in 2020 because there wasn't political support, with the estimation back then of a cost in the region of £500million to £1billion.

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott has launched a petition in favour a Northern Bypass (Image: Office of Jack Abbott) "In today's money you could be looking at £3billion, the county council haven't got the funding for that and there was nothing from in the Labour government's spending review for Suffolk.

"The Northern Bypass is a concept, not a solution - there is no official route, and the Labour MPs hold all the cards.

In 2019, a number of routes were suggested for a Northern Bypass, but these were rejected by residents (Image: Archant) "They can get together and pressure the government to get easier wins finally sorted, like the Copdock Interchange and the Ely/Haughley junction to ease freight."

On Thursday a spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “We are committed to delivering transport infrastructure that will boost growth and opportunity across the whole country, as part of our Plan for Change.

“Through our Local Transport Grant, Suffolk will receive £27million over the next five years to cut congestion and improve connectivity. That’s on top of £8.7m to boost buses, over £32m to mend potholes, and £2.7m to support walking and cycling in the region.”