| Orwell Bridge closed… 10:02 - Oct 16 with 2548 views | ITFC_Forever |
Town blocked up, no alternative route, NIMBYs north of Ipswich etc
Have I missed anything? |  |
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| Orwell Bridge closed… on 11:10 - Oct 16 with 2026 views | baxterbasics |
It's actually an unholy alliance of conservative NIMBY's and the Greens who think a decent road north of Ipswich will destroy the environment that have kept our infrastructure in the Victorian era. My journey to work from Kesgrave to Bury St Edmunds today was fun indeed. They should all get in the bin. |  |
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| Orwell Bridge closed… on 11:12 - Oct 16 with 2010 views | lurcher |
There is no money to build a northern bypass, it would cost north of a billion. |  | | |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 11:55 - Oct 16 with 1898 views | longtimefan |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 11:12 - Oct 16 by lurcher |
There is no money to build a northern bypass, it would cost north of a billion. |
The other point is where would it join the current infrastructure. Most proposals assume somewhere near the Martlesham Park and Ride, but anyone in that vicinity on Tuesday afternoon knows how snarled up that area can become. All it took was a broken down vehicle on the A12 southbound between the the BT and Foxhall roundabouts blocking a single carriageway to create a gridlock lasting 2 hours. Took me 45 minutes to travel less than a mile, and that's with just current traffic flows. Goodness knows what it would be like with flows diverted from a blocked A14. Add in the current plans for traffic light control at all the roundabouts between the Park and Ride and Seven Hills, and the increase in traffic from the nearby new housing developments and it really ceases to be a realistic option. |  | | |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 12:19 - Oct 16 with 1812 views | baxterbasics |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 11:55 - Oct 16 by longtimefan |
The other point is where would it join the current infrastructure. Most proposals assume somewhere near the Martlesham Park and Ride, but anyone in that vicinity on Tuesday afternoon knows how snarled up that area can become. All it took was a broken down vehicle on the A12 southbound between the the BT and Foxhall roundabouts blocking a single carriageway to create a gridlock lasting 2 hours. Took me 45 minutes to travel less than a mile, and that's with just current traffic flows. Goodness knows what it would be like with flows diverted from a blocked A14. Add in the current plans for traffic light control at all the roundabouts between the Park and Ride and Seven Hills, and the increase in traffic from the nearby new housing developments and it really ceases to be a realistic option. |
The whole A12 Woodbridge > Seven Hills section needs a look at already. The Brightwell Lakes estate is going to add a bunch more pain once it's fully occupied.
I can't believe they are making lights and a refurb of Seven Hills a priority, there's plenty more needed improvements even within just a three mile radius.
Personal context: I live on Main Road Kesgrave, close to the Police HQ end. So I use these roads daily, including for my commute to BSE, the other choice being go through Ipswich which is considerably fewer miles, but only rational if leaving no later than 7am. Today with the bridge closed I went north-west through the countryside. With so many others doing the same, along narrow country lanes, it still took me 1hr 45 mins to go 35ish miles.
A northern bypass wouldn't just help with bridge closures, it would long term reduce the daily use of the current route by commuters like myself heading into west Suffolk. | |
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| Orwell Bridge closed… on 12:24 - Oct 16 with 1783 views | Mullet |
As an outsider in baffled people don’t want better transport links in Suffolk but especially Ipswich. |  |
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| Orwell Bridge closed… on 12:48 - Oct 16 with 1658 views | baxterbasics |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 12:24 - Oct 16 by Mullet |
As an outsider in baffled people don’t want better transport links in Suffolk but especially Ipswich. |
Not just people, but businesses too. Particularly anyone involved with shipping or freight from Felixstowe.
Maersk in 2024 announced it would move its primary UK Asia–Europe mainliner calls away from Felixstowe to London Gateway. Problems with the road infrastructure (specifically A14) were cited as the number one factor.
None of the morons in charge seem to be paying much attention.
(Edit: I appreciate I haven't really addressed your question about people NOT wanting better links - but be assured some of us do! Sadly those who are retired and have their own little patch of Suffolk countryside are shouting louder than those of us who work for a living). [Post edited 16 Oct 12:50]
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| Orwell Bridge closed… on 12:52 - Oct 16 with 1629 views | Billywitch |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 12:48 - Oct 16 by baxterbasics |
Not just people, but businesses too. Particularly anyone involved with shipping or freight from Felixstowe.
Maersk in 2024 announced it would move its primary UK Asia–Europe mainliner calls away from Felixstowe to London Gateway. Problems with the road infrastructure (specifically A14) were cited as the number one factor.
None of the morons in charge seem to be paying much attention.
(Edit: I appreciate I haven't really addressed your question about people NOT wanting better links - but be assured some of us do! Sadly those who are retired and have their own little patch of Suffolk countryside are shouting louder than those of us who work for a living). [Post edited 16 Oct 12:50]
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Guy I met on holiday (Town Fan) has a freight company, he is constantly emailing MP's etc trying to get some action taken. Costing firms big time | | | |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 13:11 - Oct 16 with 1543 views | baxterbasics |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 12:52 - Oct 16 by Billywitch |
Guy I met on holiday (Town Fan) has a freight company, he is constantly emailing MP's etc trying to get some action taken. Costing firms big time |
What needs to happen is for it to be classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) by central government. It's too big and important (and expensive, as noted) to be left to local authorities to sort out.
Not sure the treasury will feel like stumping up either. | |
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| Orwell Bridge closed… on 13:19 - Oct 16 with 1464 views | BackToRussia |
The bypass would also mean a lot of housing built along it (even more than is already happening in north Ipswich), so a lot more traffic as well. Needs to be more of a plan than just building another road. |  |
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| Orwell Bridge closed… on 13:21 - Oct 16 with 1442 views | SenatorBlue |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 12:19 - Oct 16 by baxterbasics |
The whole A12 Woodbridge > Seven Hills section needs a look at already. The Brightwell Lakes estate is going to add a bunch more pain once it's fully occupied.
I can't believe they are making lights and a refurb of Seven Hills a priority, there's plenty more needed improvements even within just a three mile radius.
Personal context: I live on Main Road Kesgrave, close to the Police HQ end. So I use these roads daily, including for my commute to BSE, the other choice being go through Ipswich which is considerably fewer miles, but only rational if leaving no later than 7am. Today with the bridge closed I went north-west through the countryside. With so many others doing the same, along narrow country lanes, it still took me 1hr 45 mins to go 35ish miles.
A northern bypass wouldn't just help with bridge closures, it would long term reduce the daily use of the current route by commuters like myself heading into west Suffolk. |
Totally agree with this post.
I also live in Kesgrave. Today to town centre took 2 hours. 1 hour 30 of this was sat on the Kesgrave main road (the unofficial northern bypass). It was actually not too bad once past Heath Rd roundabout.
The current proposed plan for A12 from Seven Hills to Woodbridge is dysfunctional from the outset. Adding traffic lights intended to manage flow, is counter intuitive to a northern bypass. It will also become totally overloaded once Brightwell and Foxhall Rd estates are built.
The fact they are pursuing lights on that stretch, tells me northern bypass is never going to happen. But it is essential, for both through and local traffic. If a northern bypass is to be built, then that stretch has to be straight through. But again that will cost a packet.
On the topic of Heath Rd roundabout, whoever decided to add pedestrian lights on the exit towards the hospital, needs to be shot. Tells me so much about the lack of real knowledge of our roads or road planning. Traffic blocks the roundabout, nothing can get into town across it, hence 1 hour 30 from Kesgrave, most of it stationary, because that round about was blocked.
I like the idea of a crossing from Felixstowe to Harwich, this makes sense. I like the idea of an "off roundabout" solution for Copdock. Both, if done right could negate the need for a northern bypass.
I still think a northern will be needed eventually, with that massive garden estate in north Ipswich. |  | | |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 13:43 - Oct 16 with 1310 views | Keno |
The 1970's called and want their thread back |  |
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| Orwell Bridge closed… on 13:51 - Oct 16 with 1291 views | baxterbasics |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 13:21 - Oct 16 by SenatorBlue |
Totally agree with this post.
I also live in Kesgrave. Today to town centre took 2 hours. 1 hour 30 of this was sat on the Kesgrave main road (the unofficial northern bypass). It was actually not too bad once past Heath Rd roundabout.
The current proposed plan for A12 from Seven Hills to Woodbridge is dysfunctional from the outset. Adding traffic lights intended to manage flow, is counter intuitive to a northern bypass. It will also become totally overloaded once Brightwell and Foxhall Rd estates are built.
The fact they are pursuing lights on that stretch, tells me northern bypass is never going to happen. But it is essential, for both through and local traffic. If a northern bypass is to be built, then that stretch has to be straight through. But again that will cost a packet.
On the topic of Heath Rd roundabout, whoever decided to add pedestrian lights on the exit towards the hospital, needs to be shot. Tells me so much about the lack of real knowledge of our roads or road planning. Traffic blocks the roundabout, nothing can get into town across it, hence 1 hour 30 from Kesgrave, most of it stationary, because that round about was blocked.
I like the idea of a crossing from Felixstowe to Harwich, this makes sense. I like the idea of an "off roundabout" solution for Copdock. Both, if done right could negate the need for a northern bypass.
I still think a northern will be needed eventually, with that massive garden estate in north Ipswich. |
For the entire 26 years I have been a driver, the local authorities approach to traffic management has been "how can we control and frustrate drivers even more?" when it should be "how can we allow traffic to flow more freely?" - traffic lights is a favourite solution of theirs. Remember when they put the lights around the Grange Farm roundabouts for no good reason? Eventually taken back down, and those cost £1million pounds a set. The Main Rd / Martlesham roundabout - I remember that working fine without lights, but they put them there anyway, ostensibly to facilitate the Park and Ride that hardly anybody uses. Clowns. | |
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| Orwell Bridge closed… on 14:26 - Oct 16 with 1177 views | yesjohn99 |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 12:19 - Oct 16 by baxterbasics |
The whole A12 Woodbridge > Seven Hills section needs a look at already. The Brightwell Lakes estate is going to add a bunch more pain once it's fully occupied.
I can't believe they are making lights and a refurb of Seven Hills a priority, there's plenty more needed improvements even within just a three mile radius.
Personal context: I live on Main Road Kesgrave, close to the Police HQ end. So I use these roads daily, including for my commute to BSE, the other choice being go through Ipswich which is considerably fewer miles, but only rational if leaving no later than 7am. Today with the bridge closed I went north-west through the countryside. With so many others doing the same, along narrow country lanes, it still took me 1hr 45 mins to go 35ish miles.
A northern bypass wouldn't just help with bridge closures, it would long term reduce the daily use of the current route by commuters like myself heading into west Suffolk. |
I too live on the main road, PHQ end. Want to start a supporters club up? | | | |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 15:00 - Oct 16 with 1086 views | Guthrum |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 11:12 - Oct 16 by lurcher |
There is no money to build a northern bypass, it would cost north of a billion. |
Might a second Orwell bridge alongside the first make more sense?
Would it cost much more? There would be minimal disruption to countryside. It could perhaps be built lower - how many large ships go all the way up to Ipswich, as compared with the late 1970s when it was designed? That might reduce high wind closures. |  |
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| Orwell Bridge closed… on 15:12 - Oct 16 with 991 views | longtimefan |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 15:00 - Oct 16 by Guthrum |
Might a second Orwell bridge alongside the first make more sense?
Would it cost much more? There would be minimal disruption to countryside. It could perhaps be built lower - how many large ships go all the way up to Ipswich, as compared with the late 1970s when it was designed? That might reduce high wind closures. |
That was the exact discussion we were having at lunch today. Two bridges next to each other, four lanes in each direction  | | | |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 15:31 - Oct 16 with 940 views | Guthrum |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 15:12 - Oct 16 by longtimefan |
That was the exact discussion we were having at lunch today. Two bridges next to each other, four lanes in each direction |
With the Severn crossings (M4/M48), it was vital they got the new bridge built and operational before the old one became too dilapidated and could no longer support the weight of traffic (which is pretty much the case now). That would have been a significant disaster.
Similarly the Runcorn crossings over the River Mersey. | |
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| Orwell Bridge closed… on 15:34 - Oct 16 with 913 views | ZapatasMoustache |
I've probably posted this before, but for me the most sensible/cost-efficient/space-efficient/benefit-multiplying thing to do would be to combine it with upgrading the railway to Felixstowe - electrify and upgrade the tracks (ideally you'd lay a third track down but from Henley Road to Bramford Road that would be very tight...) from Ipswich through Westerfield and build the bypass from Westerfield directly on top of new (now effectively in-a-tunnel) tracks from there to north of Martlesham (near the Little Bealings farm shop) where the road would join the A12 and from where a new double track electrified railway would go down to Felixstowe (and the old lines would continue on to Lowestoft). It would be a jumbo project but if you involve key port *and* rail infrastructure it would be far more likely to get central govt funding IMO. |  | | |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 15:37 - Oct 16 with 894 views | soupytwist |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 15:00 - Oct 16 by Guthrum |
Might a second Orwell bridge alongside the first make more sense?
Would it cost much more? There would be minimal disruption to countryside. It could perhaps be built lower - how many large ships go all the way up to Ipswich, as compared with the late 1970s when it was designed? That might reduce high wind closures. |
Suffolk County Council is hoping to spend £300,000 to find out if a second crossing would be viable - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/art |  | | |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 15:47 - Oct 16 with 838 views | EdwardStone |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 12:48 - Oct 16 by baxterbasics |
Not just people, but businesses too. Particularly anyone involved with shipping or freight from Felixstowe.
Maersk in 2024 announced it would move its primary UK Asia–Europe mainliner calls away from Felixstowe to London Gateway. Problems with the road infrastructure (specifically A14) were cited as the number one factor.
None of the morons in charge seem to be paying much attention.
(Edit: I appreciate I haven't really addressed your question about people NOT wanting better links - but be assured some of us do! Sadly those who are retired and have their own little patch of Suffolk countryside are shouting louder than those of us who work for a living). [Post edited 16 Oct 12:50]
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It almost seems as if we need a concerted effort to reduce traffic and get freight onto the rails.
We already know that building new roads offers short term relief but in the longer term it conrtributes to increase in traffic |  | | |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 15:49 - Oct 16 with 822 views | NthQldITFC |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 13:21 - Oct 16 by SenatorBlue |
Totally agree with this post.
I also live in Kesgrave. Today to town centre took 2 hours. 1 hour 30 of this was sat on the Kesgrave main road (the unofficial northern bypass). It was actually not too bad once past Heath Rd roundabout.
The current proposed plan for A12 from Seven Hills to Woodbridge is dysfunctional from the outset. Adding traffic lights intended to manage flow, is counter intuitive to a northern bypass. It will also become totally overloaded once Brightwell and Foxhall Rd estates are built.
The fact they are pursuing lights on that stretch, tells me northern bypass is never going to happen. But it is essential, for both through and local traffic. If a northern bypass is to be built, then that stretch has to be straight through. But again that will cost a packet.
On the topic of Heath Rd roundabout, whoever decided to add pedestrian lights on the exit towards the hospital, needs to be shot. Tells me so much about the lack of real knowledge of our roads or road planning. Traffic blocks the roundabout, nothing can get into town across it, hence 1 hour 30 from Kesgrave, most of it stationary, because that round about was blocked.
I like the idea of a crossing from Felixstowe to Harwich, this makes sense. I like the idea of an "off roundabout" solution for Copdock. Both, if done right could negate the need for a northern bypass.
I still think a northern will be needed eventually, with that massive garden estate in north Ipswich. |
Isn't there a special bus route from Kesgrave, or does that get snarled up where it intersects normal roads anyway?
Great cycle routes through there though.
We'd be a fitter, healthier and less delayed nation if a lot more of us cycled a lot more, but government at all levels would need to actually do something about it. The Dutch have known the way for a long time, we might be too emotionally wedded to internal combustion and/or electricity and laziness. |  |
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| Orwell Bridge closed… on 15:52 - Oct 16 with 817 views | longtimefan |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 13:43 - Oct 16 by Keno |
The 1970's called and want their thread back |
The interesting thing about the Northern Bypass plans from that era that almost always gets forgotten was that the envisaged road would be a single carriageway in each direction, not a dual carriageway! | | | |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 15:57 - Oct 16 with 798 views | longtimefan |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 15:49 - Oct 16 by NthQldITFC |
Isn't there a special bus route from Kesgrave, or does that get snarled up where it intersects normal roads anyway?
Great cycle routes through there though.
We'd be a fitter, healthier and less delayed nation if a lot more of us cycled a lot more, but government at all levels would need to actually do something about it. The Dutch have known the way for a long time, we might be too emotionally wedded to internal combustion and/or electricity and laziness. |
The "special" bus route consists of about 100m of guideway. Other than that it's completely normal roads! | | | |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 16:22 - Oct 16 with 710 views | CastroSito |
Got a mate who's police. Lets just say a jumper had a change of heart and decided a lorry would be a better alternative.
As i understand, the lorry driver didn't realise he'd hit a person until 2 hours later when inspecting his lorry, so nothing was called in until it got light and you could see the road. Like the lorry driver, people assumed the... mess... was a deer.
utterly grim. | | | |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 17:00 - Oct 16 with 585 views | Dennyx4 |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 15:00 - Oct 16 by Guthrum |
Might a second Orwell bridge alongside the first make more sense?
Would it cost much more? There would be minimal disruption to countryside. It could perhaps be built lower - how many large ships go all the way up to Ipswich, as compared with the late 1970s when it was designed? That might reduce high wind closures. |
The best solution would be a tunnel, unlikely to take too much land from people that don’t want a road near them affecting their property prices.
This is probably the most costly solution, but one that is likely to get less objections.
Also if strong winds, a second bridge doesn’t solve the issue,
Similar to Dartford bridge / tunnel. |  | | |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 17:03 - Oct 16 with 575 views | Dennyx4 |
| Orwell Bridge closed… on 13:19 - Oct 16 by BackToRussia |
The bypass would also mean a lot of housing built along it (even more than is already happening in north Ipswich), so a lot more traffic as well. Needs to be more of a plan than just building another road. |
That might be a selling point to the Government to help fund, as they are still trying to increase the amount of houses built. | | | |
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