Transport
Asking the Energy Security Minister about fully utilising our natural resources
The Mill development update
ORWELL BRIDGE UPDATE
Important meeting this morning with National Highways to discuss the recent chaos caused by the closure of the Orwell Bridge. I need to understand more about how this was all allowed to unfold in the way that it did and also to understand more about what steps are being taken to ensure this never happens again.
I was told that this was the first time there has ever been a partial closure of the bridge linked to inspection/maintenance. All other closures historically have been to do with weather and car accidents. I was also told this is the first time the specialist vehicle (platform crane vehicle) carrying out the inspection had suffered a “catastrophic failure”. There are only four of these vehicles in the country.
I understand that breakdowns happen from time to time but the most concerning thing has been the lack of resilience that led to the eastward bound section of the bridge being closed for well over 12 hours. The contractor National Highways use for these vehicles is called “WEMO-tech”. It’s clear to me that there response to the breakdown of the vechicle was unacceptable.
The failure happens at approx 12am (midnight) on 1 December. However it wasn’t until 9am that there was an engineer on the scene. We then had to wait until 6pm for an engineer for adequate specialist knowledge to arrive at the scene. He was then able to fix the issue and at 7 30pm the bridge was fully open. All in all therefore the eastward section of the bridge was closed for 17 and a half hours. Clearly totally unacceptable. However unusual it was for there to be a total breakdown of the vehicle in question and however specialist it was, this response time is beyond a joke.
I also asked why one lane was allowed to be open. They said it would have been safe for regular vehicles but not lorries. National Highways made a decision in conjunction with Suffolk Police that it wouldn’t be possible to separate lorries from regular vehicles. National Highways have said to me that they’re confident there will never be another partial closure of the bridge linked to maintenance again. From now on they’ve said WEMO-tech will have to ensure specialist engineers are actually on site when the inspections on the bridge take place. Meaning the response time if there are any issues will be vastly improved.
Myself and Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey also raised concerns about the diversion route used when there’re closures. I expressed my view that vehicles shouldn’t be diverted down Heath Road and Bixley Road.
A useful meeting. Pleased I know more about what happened on the day but it doesn’t provide a defence for what happened. I still feel a lot of the huge disruption caused could have been minimised far more than it was. However some signs lessons have been learnt and there will be more resilience in future.
Quote from Tom Hunt MP:
“It was a worthwhile meeting. I certainly feel like I know a lot more now about what happened that day and reasons why things unfolded in the way they did.
“I understand that accidents and breakdowns happen from time to time but that doesn’t mean the response to what happened was in anyway acceptable. Overall there was a time lag of over 17 hours between the specialist vehicle breaking down and the issue being resolved. I find it totally unacceptable that it took so long for an engineer with specialist knowledge to be on the scene.
“I was told by National Highways that this is the first time there has ever been a partial closure of the bridge caused by an inspection/maintenance issue. They also told me that from now on there will be a specialist engineer on-site whenever an inspection of the bridge is taking place to avoid a repeat of the chaos that happened on 1 December.
“Ultimately what happened causes great disruption to thousands of my constituents and so many businesses. There wasn’t enough resilience and it’s clear to me that certain steps could have been taken to minimise the disruption that was caused.
“However. I was pleased to hear that there is a clear plan from National Highways to ensure there is no repeat.”
Loss of rail ticket offices is cause for concern
I have written about the future of train ticket offices this week. Been concerned about the proposals. Pleased that we appear to have got off slightly though. But the devil is always in the detail and the delivery when it comes to these sorts of changes. Our ticket office is being converted to a “Customer Information Centre” where you can still buy tickets. Will be the only one in Suffolk.
A large number of elderly residents and those with disabilities still need to use train ticket offices and it’s important they’re central to the thinking of Greater Anglia, Network Rail and the Department for Transport. I’ve made my views clear.
I don’t like how human interactions are increasingly becoming a thing of the past when it comes to customer service. Call be old fashioned but I think this stuff matters and has implications for the kind of society we live in.
Roads Minister visits Ipswich
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
Weekend engineering disruption to rail services
The data suggests that there has been engineering disruption to rail services from Ipswich to London across 35% of weekends over the past year. All I can say is it certainly feels like more than that. At times catching a reliable train at the weekends from Ipswich has felt like a bit of a novelty.
I appreciate that engineering works do need to be carried out from time to time, but I’m not convinced that no stone is left unturned when it comes to minimising disruption for my constituents who wish to use the train service at the weekend. Recent trends seem to confirm that actually the difference between those looking to travel during the week and at weekends is narrowing. Consistently unreliable train services at weekends is not cost free!
All of this disruption linked to rail engineering works is just compounded at the moment by the effects of all the strike action. I met with representatives from Greater Anglia and Network Rail last week to discuss and raise some of my concerns.
A real issue with the rail network though is our poor rail infrastructure. Haughley junction and Ely North junction are two crucial projects that should have been delivered many years ago. It’s crucial that the Department for Transport really starts to prioritise both projects, and I will intensify my efforts to convince the Government of the merits. Delivering both projects would greatly increase the capacity of the rail network in the East and lead to a significant improvement in the reliability and speed of train services and would also mean that things like an hourly service between Ipswich and Peterborough could be delivered.
I have frequent contact with both Greater Anglia and Network Rail, so please let me know if ever there is a specific issue you would like me to raise with them.
Suffolk Devolution deal
The Suffolk Devolution deal was officially agreed with Government Minister Lee Rowley this afternoon. This involves a significant amount of new funding for Suffolk and powers. Particularly over skills and things like adult education. It will include a £480 million investment fund over 30 years.
This does represent in my view an opportunity for Suffolk and Ipswich. It must be taken.
In principle I’ve always believed in decisions being taken as closely as possible to the people affected by those decisions.
Suffolk will only ever achieve its true potential if Ipswich achieves its true potential. The new devolution settlement for Suffolk must involve a strong focus on Ipswich. I will work with whoever I need to in order to try and ensure that.
I’m hoping this new model will help us get more investment into key infrastructure projects. Whether road or rail. There is much to be done.
Part of this will involve a new democratically elected leader of Suffolk County Council.
Meeting Minister responsible for fire safety and cladding
I’ve met more than once with the new Minister responsible for fire safety and cladding, Lee Rowley, over the past week. We have discussed the situation at Cardinal Lofts and I’ve also brought him fully up to speed as he’s new to his post on the scandalous situation at St Francis Tower.
This photo is from last week but I met again with him today and will be doing so again later this week.
He’s been responsive on the Cardinal Lofts issue and I’m hopeful that he’ll finally bring forward some concerted Government action on the St Francis Tower issue.