New calls for a bypass or reduced speed limit have beeb made after a series of incidents on the A14 that brought chaos to Ipswich.

In the past week, several crashes have closed sections of the road, including an 18-hour closure between Copdock and Claydon, triggering long delays as drivers diverted through the town, says the Ipswich Star.

Disruption, compounded by football matchday traffic, has reignited debate over Ipswich’s long-term congestion problems.

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott said: “The situation we are seeing now is a large result of Suffolk County Council’s ‘do nothing’ approach since the authority cancelled work on the Ipswich Northern Bypass half a decade ago.

“As the Local Transport Authority, they have failed to put forward a single credible alternative to our road network’s single point of failure,” he said, adding “and our town and the surrounding area are paying the price. It is time they made a choice: either they get to work on the plans for a Northern Bypass – as they promised last summer – or they are honest with people and say they have no intention of doing so, irrespective of the harm it is doing to people and business in and around Ipswich.”

A spokesperson for Suffolk County Council said: “We remain committed to working with MPs, councils, businesses and stakeholders to identify and progress a viable scheme to alleviate traffic and mobility issues around Ipswich and strengthen resilience around the Orwell Bridge and the A14 corridor.

“We are currently awaiting clarification from the government on whether it still requires significant housing delivery and/or match funding before considering any Ipswich Northern Route project, and whether it will still demand 15% of the total cost from local councils.

(Picture: National Highways)