The East loses out in new infrastructure announcements

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a £15billion pound investment in local transport infrastructure, ahead of next week’s spending review. This will fund tram, train and bus projects in the North, the Midlands and the West Country. But once again, the East of England has lost out to other parts of the country, with no new commitments to critical transport infrastructure in the region.

Infrastructure is the backbone of economic growth. Roads, railways, bridges, and ports facilitate commerce, connect communities, and enhance productivity. In the East of England, strategic investment in transport infrastructure is not just desirable—it is essential. Outdated and congested transport links threaten to stifle growth, deter investment, and undermine the potential of businesses operating in the area. Nowhere is investment more urgent than in the key transport bottlenecks of Ely and Haughley rail junctions and the Orwell Bridge.

The Case for Upgrading Ely & Haughley Rail Junctions

The Ely and Haughley rail junctions are critical intersections for both passenger and freight transport. Ely North serves as a convergence point for rail lines from Norwich, Peterborough, King's Lynn, and Cambridge, while Haughley, located north of Stowmarket, facilitates freight movement between Felixstowe and the Midlands. These junctions are essential for ensuring efficient rail operations, yet they have long suffered from capacity constraints and outdated infrastructure.

Upgrading these junctions, at an estimated cost of £500m, would yield significant economic and environmental benefits. Improved track and signalling would enable more frequent passenger services, reducing congestion on roads and enhancing commuter convenience. More importantly, the enhancements would facilitate increased freight capacity, allowing an estimated 2,900 additional freight services annually from the Port of Felixstowe. This shift from road to rail could eliminate up to 98,000 HGV journeys per year, reducing carbon emissions and alleviating pressure on the A14.

The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority has strongly advocated for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) programme, recognising its potential to unlock economic and transport benefits across the region. The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce estimates that every pound spent on these upgrades would generate a return of £5. Additionally, a coalition of 31 MPs, 20 business organisations, and 11 council leaders has urged the government to commit funding to this critical infrastructure project ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

The Urgency of the Orwell Bridge Upgrade

The Orwell Bridge, a vital transport artery connecting the Port of Felixstowe with the rest of the UK, has long been plagued by closures due to high winds. These disruptions cause severe delays, impacting supply chains and increasing costs for businesses reliant on timely deliveries. The bridge’s vulnerability to adverse weather conditions has led to repeated calls for structural improvements and alternative solutions.

The Port of Felixstowe is the UK’s busiest container port, handling nearly half of the country’s containerised trade. Any disruption to transport links in this area has national implications. When the Orwell Bridge is closed, traffic is diverted through Ipswich, causing congestion and delays that ripple across the logistics sector. Businesses suffer from increased transportation costs, missed delivery deadlines, and reduced efficiency.

Investing in wind-resistant modifications or alternative transport solutions would safeguard economic activity and ensure uninterrupted connectivity. The Labour Government’s focus on infrastructure-led growth provides an opportunity to address this long-standing issue, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to resilient and future-proof transport networks.

Call to Action

The Eastern Powerhouse has long recognised the strategic importance of the Ely and Haughley rail junctions and the Orwell Bridge. We believe that accelerated investment in these upgrades are essential for unlocking the full potential of the East of England. Our position is clear: funding must be secured in the Comprehensive Spending Review, with swift implementation to ensure benefits are realised without delay.

The Government has outlined a vision for economic growth that prioritises infrastructure, sustainability, and regional development. These projects would:

• Enhance Connectivity: Improving rail and road links would facilitate smoother movement of goods and people, boosting productivity.

• Support Green Transport: Shifting freight from road to rail would reduce emissions, contributing to the UK’s net-zero targets.

• Stimulate Regional Growth: Businesses in the East of England would benefit from improved transport efficiency, attracting investment and fostering job creation.

• Deliver High Economic Returns: With a projected five-fold return on investment for the rail junction upgrades, these projects represent sound economic policy.

The Chancellor’s announcement earlier this week has been viewed as a departure from the Treasury’s stringent Green Book rules that calculate value for money for major projects, and which are seen to favour London and the South East. The Eastern Powerhouse urges the Government to address the funding disparity between the East and other regions in England and to prioritise these vital infrastructure upgrades that can deliver the growth that the country desperately needs.