DRIVERS are set to suffer more delays after it was revealed part of a road will be closed for ANOTHER two weeks.

Engineers have found part of the carriageway in Harwich Road, Colchester, is collapsing due to water leaks.

It means gas diversion work has been suspended in the area where works are being carried out to create single roundabouts at the junctions of Harwich Road and Ipswich Road.

Harwich Road has been closed since April 1 between the roundabout and the junction with Greenstead Road. But Essex County Council said due to issues relating to water leakage, it will have to stay closed.

A spokesman added: “This has resulted in a substantial subsidence in the carriageway. Anglian Water responded to the situation as a matter of urgency and is currently carrying out extensive investigations to bring about a speedy resolution.

“This, unfortunately, has resulted in the gas diversion works being temporarily suspended in this area.”

The contractors, Eurovia, and Anglian Water, are working to resolve the situation.

The section of the road was meant to reopen on Monday but will now be closed until May 6.

A full diversion and advance warning signs are in place.

An Essex Highways spokesperson said: “Our digging has exposed a water leak that seems to have been there for a long time, gradually undermining the road.

“Anglian Water engineers have to find the source of the leak and repair it before we can carry on with other work, that’s why there is a delay.”

An Anglian Water spokesperson said: “Our teams were notified of the leak during work that is currently being undertaken in the area and are now working on site to locate and repair the leak safely.

“An extension to the road closure has been granted in order to allow our teams to complete the repair.

“We are working collaboratively with the council and other utility companies, who are also working within the closure, to resolve the matter as quickly and as safely as we can.

“While there is no interruption to any customer’s supply in the area, we’d like to apologise for any inconvenience the extension to the road closure may cause and thank residents for their patience.”

Problems with water have been brewing since March, when part of Ipswich Road was closed again due to technical issues locating and isolating live mains pipes.