19th February – Jack Abbott MP on devolution and Suffolk rail infrastructure

On 19th February, I again highlighted that devolution offers Ipswich, Suffolk and East Anglia a once-in-a-generation opportunity to regain power and resources from London, so we can decide our own future.

As the Government’s consultation opens, I would encourage anyone living and working here in our town and county to make their voices heard.

I have made my own views clear- with an ambitious settlement - our town could become a real economic powerhouse as part of a Greater Ipswich unitary authority; attracting new investment, delivering desperately needed infrastructure, and regenerating our town and the surrounding area.

More specifically, rail infrastructure in Suffolk - and in the East of England more widely - has been neglected for years.

Both before and since becoming an MP, I have met with government ministers, local and national business leaders, and residents to push for more investment into our rail network.

Projects such as the Ely and Haughley rail junction upgrades have the potential to generate millions of pounds for our local and regional economy, and even ease some of Ipswich’s perennial road traffic concerns by diverting thousands of tonnes freight from Felixstowe onto the railways.

If the electrification of the line down to Felixstowe can also be delivered, it will help rectify the absurd situation we face, where one of the world’s largest container ports is hampered by increasingly out of date and inadequate transport infrastructure.

These upgrades aren’t just local necessities, but projects of national importance.