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Repair works on major crossing to be accelerated

Martin Giles/BBC The Orwell Bridge on a sunny, clear day. It is a long expanse of concrete with multiple columns that come down into the water. A boat is parked in the mud underneath one of the large arches. In the foreground is a sandy area with some grass. Martin Giles/BBC
The Orwell Bridge was partially closed for nearly two weeks in September due to a "potentially unsafe" joint

Works to repair two joints on a major bridge have been accelerated after it was shut for emergency repairs earlier this year.

The Orwell Bridge, on the A14 near Ipswich, was partially closed for nearly two weeks in September after a joint was deemed "potentially unsafe" during a routine inspection.

About 60,000 vehicles crossed the 1km (0.6 mile) bridge, which is a key link to the Port of Felixstowe, every day in 2022.

Lilian Greenwood, a junior Labour minister in the Department for Transport (DfT), said work to replace two westbound joints would begin before April 2025.

It followed the Conservative MP for Suffolk South, James Cartlidge, having asked for confirmation of a timeline for the works.

Multiple lanes of cars queuing in traffic on the approach to the Orwell Bridge. There are trees in the background and to the sides of the road. There are average speed cameras and a sign warning of a lane closure.
Large queues built up on the approach to the Orwell Bridge after emergency closures last month

National Highways previously said they would be carried out in 2027.

However, Greenwood said this had been accelerated and would begin "within the current financial year".

A plan to replace the eastbound carriageway joints, as part of the planned 2027 works, was also due to take place, the Labour MP said.

A National Highways spokesperson said: “Work to repair a bridge joint on the westbound carriageway of the Orwell Bridge was carried out in September.

"This was after a potential defect had been identified in a routine inspection and following a specialist investigation.

“The work was originally planned to take place as part of a wider piece of work to replace the bridge joints scheduled in the next road investment period. We are looking at ways to bring this forward.”

Listen: Exploring the history of the Orwell Bridge.

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