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Orwell Bridge Closures during High Winds

03 December 2020

Lead MP

Tom Hunt

Debate Type

Adjournment Debate

Tags

Transport
Other Contributors: 0

At a Glance

Tom Hunt raised concerns about orwell bridge closures during high winds in the House of Commons. A government minister responded.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Opened the debate
The MP raised concerns about the frequent closures of the Orwell Bridge, which have disrupted local traffic and affected the economy. Since 2013, there have been approximately 20 bridge closures with each closure costing an estimated £1 million to the local economy. The closures affect around 6,000 constituents employed by the port of Felixstowe. There is a need for Highways England to implement safety measures such as a new speed limit and aerodynamic study recommendations to prevent unnecessary closures during winter periods. Despite delays in these measures being put into place, Tom Hunt urged the Government to prioritise resolving this issue.

Government Response

Transport
Government Response
The Minister responded by acknowledging the issues raised and emphasising that Highways England has been working diligently to address them. Despite delays due to unforeseen circumstances such as university wind tunnel closures, progress is being made towards implementing a new speed limit of 40 mph which should significantly reduce bridge closures. Highways England is currently finalising plans for installing new signage and enforcing the speed limits with average speed cameras. The aim is to drastically reduce the number of Orwell Bridge closures by up to 80% from current levels, improving traffic flow and economic activity in Ipswich.
Assessment & feedback
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About House of Commons Debates

House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.