Drivers are being warned the Orwell Bridge is likely to shut tonight until tomorrow morning due to forecast high winds. Thursday morning update: The Orwell Bridge has fully reopened before the rush hour.
Experts are forecasting gusts of up to 65mph – and therefore Highways England bosses say it is likely the bridge will close between 10pm tonight, re-opening at 8am tomorrow.
A yellow Met Office weather warning is in place for large parts of the country, including Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, from 9am on Wednesday to 7am on Thursday.
Those planning journeys tonight are being asked to pay close attention to the weather forecast and travel news.
A Highways England spokesman said: “Safety is Highways England’s top priority, and any decision about whether to close the bridge will be based on the safety of road users, taking into account the speed and prevailing direction of the wind.”
When the bridge is closed, the planned diversion route is via the A1156 (Felixstowe Road), A1189 (Nacton Road) and A1214 (London Road) through Ipswich.
Last year the Orwell Bridge closed on exactly the same day, on November 22, 2016, causing traffic disruption for thousands around Ipswich.
Stay with us for updates on this breaking news story as soon as we receive more information.
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