Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, visits Lowestoft to discuss third crossing for the town

Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers visits Lowestoft's Bascule Bridge with Local MP Peter Aldous. (Image: (C)archant2015)

That was the reaction of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, who was in Lowestoft this morning (Monday) to discuss transport infrastructure with Waveney MP Peter Aldous.

In April 2010, the former transport secretary, Ms Villiers, met with the then prospective parliamentary candidate for Waveney, Mr Aldous, on Lowestoft's bascule bridge to hear about the long-standing transport problems in the town.

And today, issues relating to the third crossing and transport infrastructure in Lowestoft was high on the agenda as Mr Aldous and the leader of Suffolk County Council, Mark Bee, updated Ms Villiers on the progress being made and the options available for a third crossing for the town.

Theresa Villiers said: 'I am here as part of a series of visits by members of the cabinet to different parts of the country to hear about people's priorities for jobs, the economy and things like transport infrastructure because the Conservatives are determined to continue with our long term plans and invest in our transport infrastructure as well.

'We have delivered a lot in the area in terms of the A47 and the Northern Spine Road but I am here to hear about the next potential steps, and I am talking to Peter Aldous and his colleagues about what their priorities are and obviously a third crossing is a major part of that.'

Next Wednesday, the county council has organised a meeting to be held at the main conference room at OrbisEnergy, in Lowestoft, at 7pm, for people in Lowestoft to hear more about the options available for the much-vaunted third crossing.

For more details on the third crossing, Ms Villiers' visit, and next week's meeting look out for this Friday's Journal.