Ipswich MP Jack Abbott describes need for Ipswich Northern Bypass during Prime Minster’s Questions as issue of ‘national significance’

An MP has described the need for a bypass as an issue of ‘national significance’ during Prime Minister’s Questions.

Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich, asked Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in the House of Commons today about the construction of a northern bypass for the town.

There have been numerous incidents along the route, including on the Orwell Bridge, in the past few weeks which has seen traffic come to a standstill.

Mr Abbott emphasised the local, regional, and national importance of a potential bypass and encouraged the Prime Minister to back the builders, not the blockers.

In response to Mr Abbott’s questions, Sir Keir said he would ensure a meeting on the issue was set up.

The intervention by Mr Abbott follows his letter to the Prime Minister last week, in which he asked him to take the project out of the local political quagmire.

In the Commons today, the Ipswich MP told fellow MPs the future of Ipswich and Suffolk hinged on the project.

“Mr Speaker, the Ipswich Northern Bypass is a project of local, regional, and national significance,” Mr Abbott said.

“It is a project on which the future of our town and county hinges, but this critical project has been gathering dust for years, repeatedly blocked by people who refuse to act in our long-term interests.

“The Prime Minister has set out how our Government will back the builders over the blockers. Will he now back the builders in my town and make this a project of national significance through our plan for change?”

In response, Sir Keir said the MP had been ‘relentless in seeking to boost growth and investment in Ipswich and Suffolk’.

He added: "We will fast track decisions on at least 150 major economic infrastructure projects to kickstart growth and I will make sure he (Mr Abbott) gets a meeting with the relevant minister to discuss the issues of concern to him.”