The MP for Ipswich is seeking an “urgent” meeting with National Highways after the closure of the Orwell Bridge due to over-running roadworks led to huge traffic jams across the town.

The East Anglian Daily Times quotes Tom Hunt as saying he was caught up the jams on Friday, and that it took him two and a half hours to do the four mile journey from the Copdock Interchange on the edge of the town to the waterfront in the centre.

“Trust me, I get the huge frustration felt,” he is quoted as saying. “It’s unhealthy that we’re so utterly dependent on the bridge being open. For the bulk of the day the Town has been at a standstill. A huge set back for local businesses and Ipswich residents going about their day.”

Broken down machinery was unable to be moved and was stuck in position underneath the bridge, with a specialist vehicle required to travel from North Yorkshire to carry out repairs before it reopened on Friday evening.

“I’ve sent a fairly direct email today requesting an urgent meeting to understand more fully the reasons for the severe disruption,” the report continues. “I understand that freak incidents occur from time to time and clearly the repair vehicle breaking down was unfortunate, but I’ve outlined a number of questions as to whether or not more steps could have been taken today by National Highways to have minimised disruption and dealt with the situation more urgently.”

(Picture – Yay Images)