Scores of frustrated Ipswich motorists have been backing the Ipswich Star’s campaign calling for a northern bypass, after the closure of the Orwell Bridge on Tuesday prompted fresh calls for relief on the town centre’s traffic.

Ipswich Star: Traffic chaos on Colchester Road in Ipswich due to the closure of the Orwell Bridge.Traffic chaos on Colchester Road in Ipswich due to the closure of the Orwell Bridge. (Image: Archant)

Highways England opted to close the bridge for nearly 12 hours on Tuesday because of strong winds, leaving the town gridlocked.

And with the bypass campaign backed by MP Ben Gummer, Ipswich Borough Council leader David Ellesmere and Suffolk’s Chamber of Commerce, we are asking our readers to get behind it too by signing our petition.

One reader commented: “This bypass is urgently needed, Ipswich has become a nightmare to drive in, a disaster when the Orwell Bridge closes.”

Another added: “The road network is severely outdated and has not kept up with the growth in Suffolk over the last 30 years. The government must update the travel infrastructure to help keep us modern, enhance growth and provide jobs.”

To back the campaign send the attached form to Northern Bypass Campaign, Ipswich Star, 120 Portman House, Ipswich, IP1 1RS or visit www.ipswichstar.co.uk.