Transport
Shortly after being elected I endeavoured to work with National Highways to find a solution to frequent closures of the Orwell bridge. I worked closely with them on the introduction of the variable speed limit and ensured it was introduced to an accelerated time scale.
I also campaigned to get Government money earmarked for HS2 re directed to fund key rail projects in the east such as Haughley junction and Ely North junction. This has now happened and when these projects are delivered it will be a big boost to the frequency and reliability of train services serving Ipswich train station.
We do need a northern by pass though and I’ve never stopped believing this. There is strong opposition to it in certain quarters but ultimately it is needed. If re elected I will engage again with the campaign. The need for a northern bypass with developments around Sizewell C and the new Freeport at Felixstowe and Harwich has only grown over the past few years and the case for the bypass needs to be looked at again. I genuinely don’t know what the position of my Labour opponent is on the northern bypass issue. The last I heard he was opposed to it but time will tell.