Suffolk business leaders call for urgent action on county roads
Congestion on the A14. Suffolk business leaders are calling for urgent action to improve the county's roads. - Credit: Archant
Suffolk’s business leaders are calling for urgent action to improve the county’s roads in 2016.
Three leading businessmen from the county have made a joint call for the Government to deliver in the short, medium and long term on measures to ease congestion on key roads in the New Year.
Just before the Christmas break, a collection of Suffolk business leaders and MPs met at Westminster to highlight the urgent need for action to Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department of Transport Andrew Jones MP.
Now the chairmen of three influential Chambers of Commerce are calling for an end to delays in action, warning that this was having a “negative impact” on the county and its towns. Graham Abbey, chair of Newmarket and District Chamber, Paul Donno, chair of Haverhill Chamber and Matt Moss, chair of Bury St Edmunds Chamber, said future investment was needed to stimulate business growth, attract developer and inward investment and ease traffic congestion through the towns they represent.
“Suffolk and our neighbours collectively are a net contributor to the UK economy but have not benefitted historically from the levels of public investment that would enable us to deliver yet more for UK plc,” said Mr Abbey.
Mr Donno, below, added: “The meeting with Andrew Jones was an important opportunity to have an open and productive dialogue around the key road transport issues affecting Suffolk-based and national businesses but it must only be the start of a process focused on delivery.”
The Suffolk Chamber-led campaign No More A14 Delays in Suffolk supports the delivery of 45,000 jobs, 28,000 homes and £362million gross value added (GVA) in the county and an enhanced and resilient transport link from the Port of Felixstowe to the Midlands and the North of England.
Most Read
- 1 Severe delays on major Suffolk route after crash
- 2 'You have broken us!' - New cafe at Suffolk beauty spot on huge demand
- 3 Richest people in East Anglia revealed on Sunday Times Rich List
- 4 Police carry out 'pre-planned' operation in Felixstowe road
- 5 Plans to explore Dutch-style cycling network in Suffolk town
- 6 'I like his profile' - McKenna looking forward to working with Ndaba
- 7 Double drink driver who killed Jennifer, 32, jailed six years and eight months
- 8 Indiana Jones-inspired metal detectorist finds £65k Roman hoard
- 9 Man exposes himself to two women on Thorpeness beach
- 10 'Bonne Mania' made us all smile... it faded but we'll always have the memories
“In the towns and surrounding villages the three of us represent members of the local business community and visitors to our towns all face challenges of congestion on local roads.” added Mr Donno.
“Without immediate action in 2016 which means strategic decisions on short, medium and long term answers for our roads there will be continued frustration for business efficiency and productivity. This will have a continued negative impact on the image, reputation and self-confidence of our towns and our county.”
