PARTS of Ipswich Road will be closing again over the coming fortnight as the final stages of works get underway.

From tomorrow parts of the busy road will close as part of the long-running £6.5 million roadworks scheme.

Here is what you need to know:

Ipswich road closure to the lower section causing queues in Colchester..

 

Phase one of the works will see the road resurfaced in Ipswich Road north, Cowdray Avenue eastbound and St Andrew’s eastbound.

Harwich Road south will be used as a holding area for residents and businesses looking to access St Andrew’s Gardens during the works, with marshals on site directing traffic.

The second phase will then see Ipswich Road south, St Andrew’s Avenue westbound and Cowdray Avenue westbound relaid.

Closures will be in place between 8pm and 6am while the works continue, with the noisiest works set to be complete before 11.30pm.

Traffic lights, lane closures and full road closures will be used during the two weeks.

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What have Essex highways said?

Ipswich road closure to the lower section causing queues in Colchester..

 

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “Preparations are being made to close Ipswich Road to allow the final surfacing to be completed, work which has previously been delayed due to repairs to the adjacent bridge.

“Cowdray Bridge repairs were not part of the original scheme, however, damage was found while engineers were strengthening the retaining wall to the south and west of the Ipswich Road roundabout.

“It was necessary to delay the final phases of Ipswich Road, utilising the space to check and repair the bridge to ensure any problems do not get worse, prioritising safety while reducing overall disruption of both sets of work.”

“Please drive carefully through and around the works at these times, observing road and lane closures and traffic lights as necessary.”

What next at Ipswich Road?

Ipswich Road works

 

The controversial £6.5million roadworks 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 in Cowdray Avenue have caused further delays.

The latest closure will allow the final resurfacing works to take place to the roads.

For more information or updates, visit bit.ly/2ZIwV1q.