DRIVERS will face diversions as works to repair the drains on an access road linking to a retail park take place.

Essex Highways will be closing sections of the Cowdray Avenue service road, which links to the Colne View Retail Park and the surrounding homes and businesses, from July 12.

Work is scheduled to take around 20 days to complete and will take place in stages, with four separate road closures planned along the access road over this period.

Closures will remain in place 24 hours a day, with work onsite taking place between 7.30am and 4.30pm.

The diversion routes will take drivers back on the to main Cowdray Avenue carriageway and in another entrance to the access road, depending on which closure is in place.

Access into the retail park will be maintained throughout the works for shoppers, and residents will be able to access their homes.

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An Essex Highways spokesperson said: “These are works to repair and improve the road drains on the service, or residential/shops access road, not the main through road on Cowdray Avenue.

“Work is due to start on 12 July, taking around 20 days to complete, with work onsite between 7.30am - 4.30pm.

"Work will be done in phases, with four separate road closures – the road will be closed for 24 hours each day for public and staff safety.

“There are different diversions for each phase which will enable access to the retail park and residents’ homes throughout. There may be some delays or restrictions on access at particular times.

“We ask residents, visitors and shoppers not to park in the designated areas during the works, thank you.”

Colne View Retail Park is home to the likes of Aldi, Pets at Home and Halfords.

Works are ongoing to repair Cowdray Bridge, at the Ipswich Road roundabout, where cracks were found in the construction.

One lane in the area is closed and set to remain so until the end of July.

Brook Street has also been closed for pavements work this week.