Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the time taken for a decision to be made in relation to (a) the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement and (b) upgrades to Haughley Rail Junction on the (i) Orwell Bridge, (ii) Copdock Interchange and (iii) wider road networks in the Ipswich area.

The 2022 Outline Business Case for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) forecast that the scheme would lead to 98,000 fewer lorry journeys every year, implying benefits to the Ipswich road network. Despite its public statements of support, the previous government made no funding available for EACE or upgrades to Haughley Junction.

The Chancellor has been clear about the state of the nation's finances and has launched a multi-year Spending Review. The Transport Secretary is conducting a thorough review of the previous government's transport plans to ensure that our transport infrastructure portfolio drives economic growth and delivers value for money for taxpayers. Decisions EACE and upgrades to Haughley Junction will be informed by this review process and confirmed in due course.