Revived plans for northern bypass divides residents

In February 2020, divisive plans to build a northern bypass to ease congestion in Ipswich and the surrounding areas were shelved after years of debate.

But last week, the project was revived and approved when a Labour councillor's motion received cross-party support at the Conservative-led Suffolk County Council.

Calls for the large new road intensified in the wake of the partial closure of the Orwell Bridge for repair works, which caused traffic chaos.

However, the decision to put the plans back on the table has unnerved some residents in Witnesham – one of the small villages which the bypass could be built through.

Villager Josephine Debnam, 83, said: "If it was direct from Felixstowe, then it might make a difference and stop the town from getting clogged up.

"But, no, I don't support a northern bypass because we have enough traffic around this area already without adding more to it – it's chaos."

Shaun Farrell, who moved to the village two years ago from Ipswich, feared his house would have to be taken away from him if the project went ahead.

"It would help the town, I suppose, but I wouldn't want it to affect me," the 48-year-old told the BBC.

"We've just done loads to the house and we are doing it up, and if they were to just give us a set price and tell us to get out, then I wouldn't be very happy - I'd be gutted."

Another villager, who has lived in the area for 20 years but did not wish to be named, said a northern bypass would "cause a lot of problems for an awful lot of people".

She also raised concerns over the impact it could have on fauna and wildlife in the village.

"Why don't they build something under the bridge, something simple?" the 60-year-old said.

"Because this is going to be irreversible once they start putting concrete down and the traffic starts booming through.

"Nobody gives two monkeys about us, the people who have lived here for donkey's years – we'll just get kicked out basically."

Some motorists have been particularly keen for the plans to be revisited since joint repair works started on the Orwell Bridge last month.

The scheme has resulted in lengthy delays for drivers going to and from work, and some businesses have also reported suffering financial losses.

National Highways, however, said the work, costing £6m, was essential, but appreciated that disruption had been caused.

"It's really frustrating because at the moment we are prisoners in our own homes [because of the traffic]," said Roger Mayhew, 73, who lives in Ipswich but spoke to the BBC while in Witnesham.

"This morning, coming here, there were queues all around, and there's all these big developments going on and extra traffic with no infrastructure.

"So something has got to give soon, but nothing is going to happen overnight."

The bypass was welcomed by some business owners who travel to and from the village of Witnesham, and believed it was the best way forward.

Carpenter Michael Hancock, 64, said: "I have been coming from north Ipswich to here and back every day for years, and when the bridge is closed, it is laughable.

"But you can solve this problem, so I have never understood why they wouldn't do a northern bypass.

"Roads are built all around the UK and at some point they will disadvantage some people and advantage other people – but you don't want to be in a traffic jam your whole life."

Neil Austin, who has been the owner of the village's Barley Mow pub for eight years, also believed the road is needed to put an end to the gridlock.

"I travel through Ipswich to get to work, and it is an absolute nightmare, and it's only going to get worse, so I think we should have the bypass," the 56-year-old said.

"People don't want to move with the times, and things are moving fast around here, but wherever they put it, it's going to impact someone somewhere – but that's life."

The plan for a northern bypass had been discussed for a number of years, but confidence in it grew when Suffolk County Council seriously considered it several years ago.

In 2019, the county council launched a public consultation to gauge public interest in the relief road, which it hoped would mitigate traffic issues.

Three possible routes were proposed that would link the A14/A140 and the A12, but, in order to gain government funding, 15,000 new homes needed to be built.

When local authorities failed to agree on housing, the plans were abandoned.

But the road could still come to fruition, after councillor Sandy Martin put a motion before Suffolk County Council calling for it to be reconsidered.

It was then amended to include a "suite of options", not just a "binary" northern bypass solution, before it was ultimately approved.

"We cannot afford to have Ipswich brought to a complete standstill every time the bridge is shut, we cannot afford as a county to see Felixstowe downgraded," said Martin.

"We cannot afford as a country to see the expensive delays and disruptions to this nation's major trade route without any mitigation measures taken."

While the motion has been approved and singles a renewed cross-party commitment to finding a solution to traffic issues in Ipswich, nothing will happen overnight.

A new mayor-led authority for Norfolk and Suffolk is in the process of being established as part of Downing Street's local council devolution plans.

The mayor will not be elected until May 2026, so it is unlikely any progress will be made until after that happens.

As part of the motion, a letter will also first have to be sent to the government, and it will have to consider whether it is willing to fund the project.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "We are committed to supporting reliable, safe transport links in Suffolk and beyond, and are investing £24bn over the next four years to maintain and improve roads across the country.

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

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