Moves to improve infrastructure in the north of Suffolk have been given a boost with the appointment of former county council leader Mark Bee to a major new role.

He is to become parliamentary manager for Waveney MP Peter Aldous – and will use his new role to co-ordinate attempts to get major new investment to the Lowestoft and Beccles areas.

Mr Bee will continue as a backbench Conservative county councillor and as a member of Waveney council – however he was unable to attend last week’s meeting at Endeavour House in Ipswich because of a training commitment in Lowestoft.

Mr Aldous said: “Over the last few months there have been commitments made to this area by the government which is supporting proposals like the third river crossing (in Lowestoft), and improving broadband. We also need to press the county council to press ahead with the Beccles southern by-pass.

“To some extent we have been in the planning phase of these projects up to now. Now we need to look at their delivery – and Mark is the perfect person to push ahead with this in discussions with the various parties involved.”

Mr Bee said he was looking forward to the new challenge: “There is a great deal to be done to bring new investment to the Waveney area and I’m delighted to be playing a part in that.

“I’ll be working between Waveney and London, but mainly in Suffolk – and I’ll certainly be remaining an active member of both the county and Waveney councils.”

Mr Bee – who is also the Conservative Party agent for Waveney – is due to take up his new role from the beginning of June.