As the Government looks at transport investment to deliver economic growth across the UK, the newly launched Freeport East Transport Masterplan sets out how 14 investments will maintain world-class connectivity unlocking up to £5.5bn GVA and over 10,000 new jobs in the Freeport region alone.
Freeport East, in partnership with Transport East, has published its transport masterplan – revealing a prioritised programme of proposed transport interventions spanning road, rail, bus, active travel and digital integration that will supercharge the region’s role in driving the UK’s economic growth.
Freeport East has been involved in several of the projects for over three years, but this is the first time a priority list of investments has been set out.
With several government infrastructure plans in development or announced, and as devolution progresses, the masterplan comes at a critical time to ensure that the identified schemes are progressed based on their contribution to regional and national growth.
Freeport East is centred on the Ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich offering national and global connections unmatched anywhere else in the UK.
While the region already attracts high value investment across several of the UK’s Industrial Strategy priority sectors, its growth will depend on the delivery of enabling transport infrastructure.
The masterplan shows how investment in strategic connections alongside local enhancements will support jobs, businesses, communities and the wider economy.
Developed with Transport East and local authority transport teams, the 14 projects identified within the masterplan include:
Rail: upgrades to the Ely and Haughley junctions alongside electrification of the Ipswich line to the Port of Felixstowe, and improvements to passenger services on the Colchester-Clacton and Ipswich-Cambridge routes.
Road: improvements to major routes to create new growth and decarbonisation opportunities including the A120 corridor from Harwich to London Stansted Airport, the Orwell Crossing near Ipswich, and the A14 Copdock Interchange.
Local & Innovation: Enhancing local transport connections through technology integration, particularly linking Felixstowe, Harwich and Shotley, alongside other targeted active travel options around the Freeport’s tax sites – bringing benefits through access to jobs, education and green space.
The masterplan highlights how the private sector has driven major investment on many of the transport routes, including hundreds of millions to strengthen trade infrastructure at ports and a £1bn expansion at London Stansted Airport.
It sets out how targeted public investment can now unlock and multiply returns. This builds on the Freeport’s strong track record of attracting investment, with over £250m secured and 1,800 jobs supported to date.
Steve Beel, CEO at Freeport East, said: “Freeport East was created to boost trade and investment, higher-paying jobs and wider sustainable growth, and we believe that productivity comes from connectivity.
“With the Government’s Industrial Strategy placing us at the heart of the UK’s economic ambitions, now is the right time to clearly set out our transport priorities.
“The 14 priority investments we’ve identified today will guide our focus over the coming months and years. We know that we will need to be creative in developing the funding plans to bring these to fruition but believe we have the right strategic perspective and partnerships to make that happen.
“This masterplan gives Government, local authorities, and industry a clear plan of where investment will make the greatest difference for communities, supply chains, and the UK’s position as a trading nation.”
Andrew Summers, Chief Executive at Transport East, added: “We are pleased to work with Freeport East to support the development of this ambitious transport masterplan, which clearly demonstrates the power of partnership in unlocking the East’s full potential to drive national growth.
“The East contributes £94 billion in GVA and supports 1.7 million jobs, making it one of the UK’s fastest growing and most productive regions.
“This masterplan reflects Transport East’s strategic priorities, aligning investment with the region’s strengths to supply, power and feed the nation, while making a compelling case for the enhanced transport infrastructure needed for the Freeport to realise its full benefits.”
Demonstrating the strength of private sector support for transport investment in the region, Clemence Cheng, Managing Director at Hutchison Ports Europe, a key private sector infrastructure developer in the region (including through the Ports of Felixstowe and Harwich) said: “We welcome the publication of the Freeport East Transport Masterplan.
“The UK economy is built on trade and the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich are critical international gateways which help drive inward investment and economic growth. Delivering the masterplan objectives are vitally important to maximise future economic growth opportunities locally, regionally and nationally.”
Martin Beable, Managing Director, Greater Anglia, commented: “Greater Anglia is pleased to be working with Freeport East on initiatives that aim to deliver further improvements to rail services in our region.
“By collaborating with Freeport East and other partners on their masterplan, we’re focused on securing the investment and upgrades that would see even more passengers and freight travelling by rail.”
