ESSEX County Council has explained what caused the controversial Ipswich Road roadworks scheme in Colchester to overrun by 15 months.

The £6.5 million scheme, which has seen the double roundabouts in Ipswich Road and Harwich Road converted into larger single roundabouts, has now been "substantially concluded".

When works first started in September 2018, they had originally been scheduled to finish by December 2019.

However, a myriad of delays have affected the project, meaning it wasn't completed until the end of March.

The two and-a-half years of roadworks have caused significant disruption to residents, with businesses in the area also feeling the effects.

Ipswich Road new layout

 

Essex County Council has now explained what caused the project to overrun so significantly.

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A spokesman said: "Works on the A133 Ipswich Road/Harwich Road - a key route into Colchester - have been substantially concluded and this section of the network is now open.

"These works have been essential to alleviate growing congestion and to improve access for transport, supporting the growth and economic prosperity of the town.

“The scheme encountered a number of complications which had to be overcome and impacted the duration of the works on site.

"These included increased works to divert and maintain utility supplies, Covid restrictions, Cowdray Bridge safety repairs which were outside the scope of this project but included and necessary to complete for public safety and additional works to the adjacent retaining wall.

"There are maintenance works still to be completed on Cowdray Bridge and these will be undertaken later in the summer.

"These works will largely be contained within the remaining fenced-off area."

Ipswich Road new layout

 

County Hall said the original construction contract was valued at £5 million, with an additional £1 million for utility diversion costs.

They do not yet have a final cost of the works, however, said the main works will be covered within the original contingency sum set out.

Further works will need to take place to repair the Cowdray Bridge, which is being done under a different scheme.

Funding for this will come from the Essex Highways Structures budget.

A spokesman for the council added: “We would like to thank everyone affected for your patience and co-operation and courtesy whilst we undertook these vital and complex improvements to the network.”