Big businesses bemoan Orwell Bridge work 'failure'

Nine major employers have joined forces to express their frustration about the effect of the partial closure of the Orwell Bridge.

The businesses and institutions, which collectively employ more than 3,000 people, have voiced concerns about the consequences of a £6m repair project.

In an open letter they called for either a northern bypass to be built past Ipswich, which could link the A14/A140 and the A12, or a "practical alternative" to try to prevent a repeat of the disruption seen in recent weeks.

Chris Chambers, cabinet member for transport at Conservative-run Suffolk County Council, previously said no decision was likely to be made until after the elections for a new mayor-led authority for Norfolk and Suffolk in May 2026.

The Orwell Bridge on the A14 south of Ipswich is currently operating with lane closures while the repair works are carried out to replace expansion joints.

National Highways started work on 16 June, shutting one lane on the eastbound carriageway which caused severe tailbacks.

Martin Fellows, regional director for the east region at National Highways, said he was hopeful the work would finish in mid to late August.

"We do recognise the significant effect work on the bridge has on road users, businesses and local communities," he previously said.

This week an additional lane - on the westbound carriageway - was also closed, further affecting motorists and also businesses which have reported losses.

In the open letter, the nine businesses referenced how the closures had "had a significant impact on our bottom line and our employees' wellbeing".

"We have all seen employees stuck in traffic for up to two-and-a-half hours on their journeys to work," they said.

"Apart from the loss of productivity caused by their lateness, being stuck in traffic in hot weather isn't good for people's wellbeing or work-life balance."

The businesses which have signed the letter are Birketts, the Willis Tower Watson group, University of Suffolk, Suffolk New College, Ashtons Legal, UK & Ireland OCS, Barnes Construction, Associated British Ports, and the Tru 7 Group.

Guy Nichols is the CEO and owner of the Tru7 Group, which supplies goods to the construction, demolition and agriculture industries.

He told the BBC his trucks were "doing less than half of the work they would normally do" each day because of the severity of traffic.

"It's absolutely horrendous, absolute chaos, it's a joke," he said.

"We're fortunately an older family business, so there's a bit of meat on the bone, but there's a lot of smaller businesses who are really going to hurt."

"A northern bypass needs to happen, otherwise all these high paid jobs will just gradually disappear," added Mr Nichols.

The open letter from the businesses said they "fully accept maintenance of the bridge is required" and that "contractors and National Highways have done all they can to minimise" the impact.

However, they added they were "genuinely concerned" prospective employees may choose to work elsewhere.

In a different letter, recently sent to MP Heidi Alexander, secretary of state for transport, Mr Chambers said "strategic investment in Suffolk's transport infrastructure" "has not been forthcoming".

"Suffolk's continued exclusion from significant transport investment programmes cannot continue if we are to meet our ambitions for growth, sustainability, and connectivity," he said.

The Department for Transport, meanwhile, said it remained "committed to supporting reliable, safe transport links in Suffolk and beyond".

"While works to improve safety on the Orwell Bridge have increased congestion, some closures remain necessary to protect road users and maintain vital routes," a spokesperson added.

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