Kesgrave Councillor Urges Cooperation on Northern Bypass Solution

Kesgrave councillor Debbie McCallum wants a traffic solution. She thinks areas cannot keep fighting each other. Traffic problems on the A12 and A14 have made things worse lately, and people are again talking about a bypass north of Ipswich.

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott supports the bypass idea, but villagers north of Ipswich strongly oppose it. They would be most affected by the bypass construction. Traffic issues on major roads cause drivers to go through Ipswich.

McCallum runs the Bell pub in Kesgrave. She says a solution is vital and must work for Ipswich, Kesgrave, and all Suffolk. She believes they must not burden other areas with the cost. A northern route is an option, but cooperation is key.

McCallum thinks local councils should work together. They need to find a long-term traffic solution. Bell Lane gets very busy when the Orwell Bridge closes, and heavy vehicles can shake her pub at night. It’s a listed building with past damage.

McCallum suggests moving freight to trains. Widening the A14 might also help. They need a solution soon because big projects take many years to complete. Traffic affects Kesgrave a lot, she said.

Road conditions are residents’ top concern. Potholes are a bigger priority than traffic. Abbott wants the bypass declared nationally important, and he asked the Prime Minister for help.

Patrick Spencer is the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich. He opposes Abbott’s bypass call. He says the bypass lacked funding in 2019. Spencer spoke to the Suffolk County Council leader, and the funding situation remains the same.

Kesgrave Town Council declined to comment. They had no interest in unofficial bypass talks. The last bypass attempt failed in 2020 because it just didn’t have enough political backing.