HIGHWAYS chiefs looking at possible changes to the A14 to deal with congestion were today urged not to forget Felixstowe's “total dependence” on the dual carriageway.

HIGHWAYS chiefs looking at possible changes to the A14 to deal with congestion were today urged not to forget Felixstowe's “total dependence” on the dual carriageway.

Community leaders attacked ideas to charge a toll for driving over the Orwell Bridge but felt widening the bridge or building a northern bypass around Ipswich should be pursued.

Councillors in Felixstowe were upset the resort and its port appeared to have been ignored in the new study being done on the A14 and traffic congestion in Ipswich.

Now - along with parish councils on the peninsula and other communities next to the A14 - they have been asked for their views on the way forward.

Felixstowe Town Council has put forward a range of points it would investigated further.

Town clerk Susan Robinson said it was vital the town was involved in the debate.

She said: “It is absolutely crucial because of our total dependence on the A14 - we have no other options.

“We need to make sure that if any of the schemes on the report's long list of potential solutions are taken up, they are Felixstowe-proofed.

“Some of the schemes may provide assistance for the traffic congestion in Ipswich but could have enormous knock-on effects for Felixstowe.”

Andy Smith, chairman of the town's plans committee, said it was not just Felixstowe, but villagers of Trimley and Kirton and others who suffered when there were problems on the A14.

Closure of the Orwell Bridge or accidents on the dual carriageway had caused massive tailbacks and delays for people going to and from Felixstowe.

Mr Smith said widening of the Orwell Bridge was an option the town council could support to improve its capacity, but the northern bypass was a better solution.

“I would say, get on with it - a northern bypass for Ipswich is crucial now both to deal with the additional capacity needed on the A14 and to act as a safety valve and provide an alternative route when an incident blocks one of the intersections or the bridge is closed,” he said.

Mayor Ann Rodwell blasted suggestions of putting a toll on the Orwell Bridge.

“People in Felixstowe would not be able to get out - we'd be stuck, forced to pay every time. It is a ridiculous suggestion to have tolls - the Orwell Bridge was built for people in Felixstowe,” she said.

She added it would also force people back into Ipswich, increasing congestion there.

What do you think of charging a toll to cross the Orwell Bridge, or road pricing in Ipswich? What's the answer to the problems in the town and on the A14? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk.