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Driver arrested after car crashes into Ipswich businesses

News

A man has been arrested on suspicion of drug driving after a car collided with two businesses in Ipswich town centre early this morning.

The big picture: Police were called to Tacket Street shortly before 04:30 BST following reports of a single-vehicle collision. The incident has led to road closures and damage to local businesses.

The crash caused significant damage to the Gateway Continental Convenience Store
The crash caused significant damage to the Gateway Continental Convenience StoreOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

Key details: The car reportedly left the road and struck a building, damaging two businesses:

  • A male passenger had to be extracted from the vehicle and was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

  • The driver, a man in his 20s, was arrested at the scene after failing a roadside drug test.

  • Tacket Street is currently closed at the junction with Cox Lane.

What's next: Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage to assist their investigation.

Between the lines: Authorities do not believe anyone else was involved in the collision and have stated it is not connected to an assault that took place in the town centre last night.

How to help: Anyone with information is asked to contact the Roads Policing Team at Suffolk police, quoting reference 37/53999/24:

Where have the boats gone? Ipswich Marina empties ahead of contentious £2m upgrade

News

Dozens of boats are disappearing from their long-term berths at Ipswich Marina as owners scramble to find new moorings within a two-week deadline. The relocations come as Associated British Ports (ABP) prepares to begin a £2m upgrade of the northern side pontoons.

Why it matters: The exodus of 39 vessels marks a significant change for the waterfront landscape, temporarily altering the character of one of Ipswich's most distinctive areas.

The big picture: ABP says the existing pontoons on the northern side have reached the end of their "usable life", necessitating urgent relocations ahead of the winter period. The company plans to create new pontoons in front of Coprolite Street and the main university building.

Port of Ipswich in Ipswich
The exodus of boats makes for strange viewing at the waterfrontOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

By the numbers:

  • 39 boats need to relocate

  • £2m investment approved by ABP's board

  • 2 weeks given for vessels to move

  • 11 years some boat owners have been moored at the marina

What's happening: While some vessels will move to the opposite side of the wet dock, others may leave Ipswich entirely as the marina's established community faces disruption during the redevelopment.

Behind the scenes: The revised plans, submitted in July, followed compromises ABP says it made with boat owners. The company is now awaiting approval from Ipswich Borough Council, with a decision expected by the end of the year.

What they're saying: ABP's divisional port manager Paul Ager describes the £2m investment as a "strong vote of confidence" in the marina's future. The company says it has received "strong support" for upgrading the berthing facilities.

The bottom line: While the marina temporarily loses its familiar flotilla of vessels, ABP maintains the disruption is necessary for essential safety upgrades. The development marks the latest chapter in the ongoing transformation of Ipswich's waterfront.

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