ANGRY Suffolk haulage companies today spoke of the rising cost in time and money they are enduring as work on the Orwell Bridge continues.Motorists have been stuck in heavy delays on the A14 and have had to cope with chaotic scenes since renovation work began.

ANGRY Suffolk haulage companies today spoke of the rising cost in time and money they are enduring as work on the Orwell Bridge continues.

Motorists have been stuck in heavy delays on the A14 and have had to cope with chaotic scenes since renovation work began.

Long queues started shortly after a westbound lane was closed for work to begin on June 4.

At the start of this week the chaos doubled when eastbound traffic was also reduced by one lane.

The westbound lane has since been re-opened.

Peter Cross, director for Beeline Transport, in Felixstowe, said: "The situation is certainly not good at the moment and the work is costing us dearly.

"We are experiencing delays of 20 minutes or more on journeys both going out and coming in.

"It has cost us several hundreds of pounds in extra wages and petrol and there are haulier companies that are much bigger than mine – I only have seven trucks.

"I know the work has got to be done but it is just a nightmare."

Simon Lewis, traffic operator for Barnham Transport, in Felixstowe, said: "Journeys have been delayed by up to two hours which has heavily affected our customers.

"Customers are waiting a lot longer for their goods and staff are working longer hours."

However, A M Searle Dock Shunting Service, in Felixstowe, are patiently waiting for the work to be completed.

Paul Kingsford-Bere, business development manager, said: "There have been delays of up to half an hour for our workers but it can't be avoided.

"We were well informed about it so were able to alter journey times and let our customers know.

"We would rather have the bridge repaired than not have it at all and have to go all the way around."

Steve Williams, of the Road Haulage Association, said drivers travelling to Felixstowe have become used to delays on the A14.

He said: "The road is a strategic route for the whole country and Europe and it's simply not up to the job.

"It's the main artery to Ipswich, Felixstowe and the surrounding towns and it's seriously underachieving in what it needs to do.

"But drivers have no choice but to go on it. It's a catch 22 situation."