WORKS at a long-running roadworks scheme will pause over the Christmas and new year period, but drivers will likely still face delays as traffic restrictions remain in place.

Essex Highways has announced contractor Eurovia will be downing tools at the Ipswich Road improvements scheme in Colchester between December 23 and January 4 as the site shuts down for Christmas.

However, there is unlikely to be a festive reprieve for drivers, with the existing traffic management measures set to remain in place throughout.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “During this period we will be maintaining what traffic management is still in place for safety reasons around the site, but it will be as minimal as possible.”

The controversial £6.5million scheme, which will see the roundabouts in Ipswich Road and Harwich Road converted into larger single roundabouts, was originally set to be complete in December 2019.

Works are now almost finished, however, cracks discovered in the railway bridge next door in Cowdray Avenue will need to repaired.

The spokesman added: “Works to the A133 Ipswich Road improvement scheme have nearly been completed.

“This has seen all carriageways and footways resurfaced and lined.

“All of the island resurfacing has been completed and most signage has been installed. All traffic signals are in place and will shortly be operational.

“There are certain construction works to complete on the Ipswich Road area, but this works now falls under the Cowdray Bridge repair scheme as they can not be completed until the bridge has been repaired.”

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