28.4.2026 | Ports

A new transport masterplan for Freeport East has set out 14 priority infrastructure projects designed to unlock £5.5bn in economic growth and strengthen connectivity across one of the UK’s most important logistics regions.

Published this week with Transport East, the plan brings together a coordinated programme of road, rail and local transport improvements around the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich.

For freight operators, the focus is clear: addressing long-standing constraints across key corridors while improving access to labour, supply chains and port infrastructure.

Many of these schemes have been in development for several years, but this is the first time they are being presented as a prioritised programme that aligns infrastructure investment with regional and national growth ambitions.

Priority projects across key corridors

The proposed investments span a mix of strategic upgrades and local improvements, including:

• Rail: Upgrades to Ely and Haughley junctions, electrification of the Ipswich line to the Port of Felixstowe, and improved passenger services on the Ipswich–Cambridge and Colchester–Clacton routes
• Road: Enhancements to the A120 corridor between Harwich and London Stansted Airport, the Orwell Crossing near Ipswich, and the A14 Copdock Interchange
• Local and innovation: Technology-led improvements to connectivity between Felixstowe, Harwich and Shotley, alongside targeted active travel schemes

The masterplan also highlights the scale of existing private sector investment, including major port infrastructure upgrades and a £1bn expansion at London Stansted Airport.

To date, Freeport East has secured more than £250m in investment and supported 1,800 jobs, with the plan positioning further public investment as a catalyst for growth.

Industry backing

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.

“The 14 priority investments we’ve identified will guide our focus over the coming months and years. 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.”

Private sector support for the plan has also been strong.

Clemence Cheng, Managing Director at Hutchison Ports Europe, added:
The ports of Felixstowe and Harwich are critical international gateways that help drive inward investment and economic growth. Delivering the masterplan objectives will be vital to maximise future opportunities locally, regionally and nationally.”

From plan to delivery

The masterplan provides a clear framework for investment, but delivery will depend on funding and sustained momentum across multiple stakeholders.

With infrastructure now firmly tied to economic growth, the challenge will be turning a defined set of priorities into projects delivered at pace.

To read the full Transport Masterplan, please see here: Transport Masterplan.

Image: Courtesy of the Port of Felixstowe