Bypass for town is 'of national significance' - MP

An MP has described the need for a bypass as an issue of "national significance" and called on the prime minister for help to make the project happen.

Jack Abbott, Labour MP for Ipswich, asked about the construction of a northern bypass for the town during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons.

Numerous incidents in the past few weeks along the road, including on the Orwell Bridge, have seen traffic grind to a halt.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded to Mr Abbott's questions, saying he would ensure a meeting on the issue was set up.

Plans for the Ipswich Northern Bypass were abandoned in 2020 due to a lack of "political support".

Suffolk County Council's cabinet voted against the proposal because it would not attract the funding needed. Protesters also raised environment fears.

In the Commons, Abbott told fellow MPs the future of Ipswich and Suffolk hinged on the project.

"This critical project has been gathering dust for years, repeatedly blocked by people who refuse to act in our long-term interests," he said.

"The prime minister has set out how our government will back the builders over the blockers.

"Will he now back the builders in my town and make this a project of national significance through our Plan for Change?"

In response, Sir Keir said the MP had been "relentless in seeking to boost growth and investment in Ipswich and Suffolk".

He added: "We will fast track decisions on at least 150 major economic infrastructure projects to kickstart growth, and I will make sure he [Mr Abbott] gets a meeting with the relevant minister to discuss the issues of concern to him."

Earlier this month there were several crashes in one day on the A14 around Ipswich as well as close to Newmarket, while the A12 similarly at Ipswich was closed when a lorry overturned.

National Highways said it would always "work hard to keep the strategic road network moving" and it supported "economic growth".

The comments come after Suffolk Chamber of Commerce said it would look at how delays on the A14 impacted business investment and job creation.

Last week Sir Keir also announced plans the government would block campaigners from making repeated legal challenges to planning decisions for major infrastructure projects and he referenced several projects in Suffolk that had suffered delays.

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