Tom Hunt: My thoughts on the closure of the Orwell Bridge

I worked very hard to try and get a solution to prevent frequent closures of the Orwell Bridge due to high wind speeds.

It was something which I lobbied on for a number of years.

Naturally, I was very pleased when a new variable speed limit was introduced on the bridge a couple of years ago.

This was a big victory for common sense. 

Tom appreciated how the closure was handled this time

I am acutely conscious of the extent to which the Town grinds to a halt when the bridge is closed.

I felt that, before the variable speed limit was introduced, there were many occasions when it didn’t need to be completely closed.

The result was a significant amount of unnecessary disruption for my constituents and economic damage.  

Since the new variable speed limit was introduced, the number of closures of the bridge has decreased significantly.

During periods of high wind where the bridge would have been closed, the speed limit is simply reduced to 40mph. 

I appreciate that issues with the bridge remain. It still closes from time to time, for non-wind related issues, but this is a big step forward. 

The bridge was closed initially for Storm Ciaran (Image: Archant)

On Wednesday, I was notified that it was the plan to close the bridge for 24 hours from 12am on Thursday due to the threat posed by storm Ciaran.

Whilst I absolutely accept that safety should be a priority, I was concerned about the impact this 24-hour closure would have on the Town and my office are in contact with National Highways East to establish more of an understanding as to their reasoning. 

As I write this column at just after 12:30pm on Thursday, the bridge is currently open which isn’t what I expected.

However, the effects of storm Ciaran across the county are still being felt and by the time this is published the situation may look a whole lot different.

I’m pleased that whilst being safety conscious, National Highways appear to be taking all reasonable steps to minimise the disruption caused.

The Highways England I remember from a few years ago would have been content to have just let the closure extend for the full 24 hours without looking for opportunities to get the bridge open ahead of schedule in a safe way.

I find this shift in attitude refreshing and encouraging. But as I say, perhaps I’ve spoken to soon, time will tell. 

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Local authorities and utility companies need to be more accountable over road works

Sadly, the Town has had another week badly impacted by road works.

On Tuesday I was stuck on Colchester Road for the best part of 20 minutes due to the disruption being caused on the roundabout near the Royal George.  

Whilst we all accept roadworks need to take place, there is always the nagging suspicion that not all steps have been taken by the authorities and utility companies to minimise disruption.

There is nothing more frustrating than when you see a section of a road closed over a prolonged period of time, yet no work appears to be taking place.

It often seems that those behind the works aren’t acutely conscious of the extreme inconvenience they are causing to the public at large. 

Tom got stuck in road works this week

I was very surprised to find out a year ago that there is actually no requirement for utility companies to submit their plans and work schedules to the local councils before they start carrying out the works.

This seems like a big part of the problem to me.

There should be a requirement that all these companies submit their schedules ahead of time so at least there is an element of coordination and master planning to avoid unnecessary disruption.

Companies need to be subject to greater scrutiny and held to account when their road works overrun and miss their targets for completion.

Whilst I appreciate that sometimes there will be urgent works that need to happen, I’m convinced that this new requirement that I’ve raised in Parliament twice would make a difference.  

What links both issues is the need to have an approach that aims to minimise the disruption to motorists.