Video
Will the A14, Orwell Bridge, close in Suffolk due to high winds? Suffolk police reopen the bridge
Traffic on Colchester Road. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN
The Orwell Bridge has reopened this morning after 80mph winds battered Suffolk and brought its closure.
Highways England had said yesterday the bridge would be likely to remain open, however by 5.19am this morning the increased wind speeds led to a warning there would be a greater chance of closure.
By 6.37am, Highways England confirmed that Suffolk police had closed the bridge between junctions 56 and 57.
Shortly after 9am Suffolk police announced it was reopening the bridge.
MORE: Rail services cancelled in Suffolk and Essex
Suffolk police has been monitoring the situation.
You may also want to watch:
A force spokesman, speaking at around 5.45am, said: “We’ve had lots of reports of trees down in parts of Suffolk as well as garden sheds.”
MORE: High winds bring power cuts to Suffolk and Essex
Calls have been flooding into authorities about reports of debris and fallen trees.
Ipswich Borough Council, which handles all reports in Suffolk, has urged callers to make the reports to its dedicated email address.
Most Read
- 1 Tributes paid to Ipswich's 'best-loved shopkeeper' Hajara 'Sid' Singh
- 2 Jailed in Suffolk: See the faces of the criminals locked up this week
- 3 Ipswich woman who was 'too big' to operate on loses 8 stone after health scare
- 4 Suffolk and Essex on standby for snow
- 5 Firefighters issue warning after wood burner fire almost spreads across house
- 6 More than 1,700 Covid patients now discharged from hospitals
- 7 Covid infection rate in Ipswich continues to fall below England average
- 8 Kesgrave woman writes book on incredible journey from suicide attempt to ultra marathon
- 9 Ipswich Town supporters group post mock front page outside Portman Road, calling for Lambert to go
- 10 These are the neighbourhoods in Suffolk where Covid rates are still rising
This covers the whole of Suffolk until 8.30am as the borough handles county-wide contacts out of hours.
MORE: Suffolk schools close in high winds
There are reports that Cox’s Hill on the A137 in Lawford is blocked by tree. Belstead Road in Ipswich has also been closed by a fallen tree.
MORE: Ipswich parks and cemeteries to open late amid high winds
The Met Office has issued weather warnings for much of the UK, including East Anglia.
Its latest update forecast “very strong winds” that would transfer eastwards across the country, before clearing mid-morning.
“Road, rail and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations,” it said,
“There is also a possibility that some bridges may close. Power cuts may occur, and there is the potential for other services, such as mobile phone coverage, to be affected.
“Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible, along with some damage to buildings.”
The warning added that gusts of 50-60mph are likely quite widely, with gusts of 65 -75mph in some places - with Lincolnshire and East Anglia expected to see the worse winds early this morning.
Weatherquest forecaster Chris Bell said that gusts could exceed 70mph in Norfolk and Suffolk.
“Take care if out on the morning commute,” he added.
An Ipswich Borough Council spokesman added that bin collections could be affected by closure of the Orwell Bridge by Highways England.
“Bridge closures do have an impact – especially with the current road works in parts of the town – and while we will do all we can to complete bin rounds we do ask residents to be patient.”