The Orwell Bridge
The Orwell Bridge carries the A14 over the River Orwell, south of Ipswich in Suffolk. Here you can find information about current and planned speed restrictions and closures on the bridge
Scheduled maintenance
Like any major structure, the bridge needs frequent maintenance to keep it in a safe and serviceable condition.
Sometimes we need to close the bridge to keep road users and our team safe while we work.
We understand closures cause disruption to road users and local communities. We strive to keep the bridge open as often as we can.
Our work isn’t always visible. We may be carrying out repairs underneath the road surface, or waiting for construction materials to dry or set before continuing our work.
Maintenance work starts June 2025 - Meet the team
As part of our ongoing engagement with residents, businesses and stakeholders, we’ll be holding a series of public information events, as well as attending the Suffolk Show, where the public can meet the project team, ask questions and learn more about the upcoming planned maintenance work which runs from 16 June to August 2025.
Come along to meet the team at the following locations:
Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 May
Suffolk Show - Stand 428, Red Zone
Trinity Park, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 8UH
Wednesday 4 June, 3pm – 7pm
Wherstead Service Station, A14 J56 / A137 Wherstead, Ipswich, IP2 8NQ
Thursday 5 June, 11am – 3pm
Epsilon House, Masterlord Office Village, West Road, Ransomes Industrial Estate, Ipswich, IP3 9FJ
Thursday 5 June, 11am – 3pm
Buttermarket Shopping Centre, Ipswich Town Centre
Planned maintenance work
We have planned maintenance starting from Monday 16 June until August 2025, as detailed below:
- From Monday 16 June, there will be overnight lane closures between 8pm and 6am.
- From Friday 20 June to Thursday 26 June, there will be overnight carriageway closures between 8pm and 6am, including the weekend.
- From Monday 23 June, the eastbound carriageway towards Felixstowe will be reduced to one lane. Westbound will be unaffected.
- From 26 June until August 2025, both carriageways will have one lane open in each direction through contraflow roadworks.
From 26 June, the westbound entry slip road at junction 57 (Nacton Interchange) will be closed for the duration of the works. This aims to reduce congestion caused by joining traffic merging onto the A14 as all traffic approaches the contraflow. Drivers wishing to join the A14 westbound will be diverted east to join the A14 westbound at junction 58 (Seven Hills Interchange).
We'll be working 24/7, including weekends, to complete this work as quickly as possible and minimise disruption.
Diversions
The bridge will remain open for traffic during much of the repair work and we will encourage drivers to stay on the A14, rather than divert onto less suitable routes through Ipswich, but more time should be allowed for journeys.
While the A14 is closed overnight, drivers will be diverted using a clearly signed route between junction 58 (Seven Hills Interchange) and junction 55 (Copdock Interchange) via the A12 and A1214.
Please be aware that these dates may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as poor weather, but we will keep you updated.
A14 junction 57 diversion route
Why we restrict speed limits and close the bridge
The bridge is only closed when it’s essential for safety reasons, and for as little time as possible. It was previously closed to all traffic if there were gusts of wind of 50mph or more in certain directions, or gusts of 60mph or higher, regardless of wind direction.
From 25 January 2021, we made changes to the bridge to allow it to remain open more frequently during high winds, following extensive safety testing.
Now a new 50mph driving speed limit has been imposed and is used if there are wind speeds forecast of over 45mph. If wind speeds of 60mph or more are predicted, then the bridge is closed due to the safety risk to motorists. The 60mph driver speed limit remains in place on the bridge during low winds.
Protocol documents
Latest Orwell Bridge closure protocol document.
Previous Orwell Bridge closure protocol document.
View the latest bridge closure and wind speed reduction data.
Technical reports
A report was specifically commissioned from independent experts at City, University of London using ground-breaking techniques, to better assess how wind speeds affect different types of vehicles on the bridge. It has identified new things that could help to keep the bridge open during high winds.
The findings are theoretical, and have now been tested using a wind tunnel. Read:
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