Ipswich Labour

18/06/2026

Neil MacDonald, Labour Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, announces the purchase of 69 new town centre flats for affordable rent.

18/06/2026

PETITION: 3,931 signatures needed to put the Ipswich Northern Bypass back on the agenda at Suffolk County Council.

Councillors running Suffolk County Council voted last month to deprioritise the Ipswich Northern Bypass and focus instead on re-evaluating bridge and tunnel options.

A comprehensive study commissioned by Suffolk County Council and completed in 2020 rated 35 different options on their ability to ease transport problems in and around Ipswich. The top five options were all variations on the Ipswich Northern Bypass. The bottom three options were “do nothing”, a tunnel under the Orwell and a new bridge. The options assessment report is available here:https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/asset-library/imported/appendix-a-inr-oar-addendum.pdf

An Ipswich Northern Bypass would be the responsibility of Suffolk County Council as our local highways authority to build and maintain, not National Highways.

After 20 years during which the Conservatives running Suffolk County Council failed to take action, Reform UK, who took over last month now want to take us back and redo already completed work on the options.

Labour have been campaigning consistently for the Ipswich Northern bypass for years, but Labour have never been in a position of control at Suffolk County Council.

Jack Abbott as MP for Ipswich will push the Government to back the project with funding, but the first step is for Suffolk County Council to select a route (taking into account environmental impacts), develop plans and submit the business case to Government for consideration.

Housing is a separate issue, controlled through the planning process. At the moment thousands of new homes are being built all around Ipswich without any meaningful improvements to infrastructure.

Ipswich and South Suffolk need action on traffic problems now. This isn’t just about dealing with Orwell Bridge closures; it’s about ensuring our area has the infrastructure it needs to grow its economy long term.

When the petition reaches 3,931 signatures, Suffolk County Council’s constitution triggers a meeting with the cabinet member for highways and a mandatory presentation and debate at a full council meeting.

Please back the bypass and sign Jack's petition today at https://www.ipswich-labour.org.uk/ipswich-northern-bypass-petition/

18/06/2026

A community picnic is set to bring people together.

16/06/2026

Mark Ling, a transport boss operating in Ipswich and Felixstowe has said that the Northern Bypass is the only way to futureproof the region's…

14/06/2026

URGENT PETITION: We need 3,931 signatures to put the Ipswich Northern Bypass back on the agenda at Reform-run Suffolk County Council.

At the last meeting of Suffolk County Council, Reform UK deployed diversionary tactics, deprioritising the bypass in favour of looking again at discredited and far-fetched tunnel and bridge schemes.

Ipswich and South Suffolk needs real action now on its traffic problems and in depth technical studies have shown the Northern Bypass is the only credible solution on the table.

Please back the bypass and sign Jack's petition today at https://www.ipswich-labour.org.uk/ipswich-northern-bypass-petition/ so that we can put the bypass firmly back on the agenda.

14/06/2026

I was delighted to secure £20 million to invest in Stoke Park and Chantry through the Government's Pride in Place programme.

It will have a transformative impact over the next decade.

The best thing about it? You can help shape where this money goes, whether that is community spaces, youth centres or health facilities.

Your place. Your call.

We are forming a Neighbourhood Board of local residents to decide how to invest this money with applications open now.

There is not a huge time commitment - likely no more than a few hours a month - but the legacy you will help build for your community will be immense.

The deadline for the position of Chair closes tomorrow, Monday 15th June, so if you are interested, get your application in quick.

You have a little longer to apply to be a board member, with applications closing on Thursday 9th July.

Find our more and apply here: https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/communities-and-health/join-pride-place-neighbourhood-board

13/06/2026

13/06/2026

I'm inviting Ipswich to come together for a community picnic next Friday 19th June.

It's taking place in Christchurch Park, 3.30pm-6.30pm, as part of the Great Get Together's 10th anniversary.

Come along, bring your picnic, and share food and stories with your family, friends and neighbours.

‘We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us' - Jo Cox MP

Please share.

08/06/2026

08/06/2026

Ipswich MP says 'it's always very special' when Ed Sheeran comes to town and says that he contributes to the 'limitless talent' of the town.