ONE of the main roads into Colchester has re-opened after more than three weeks.

Anglian Water closed part of Harwich Road on June 27, after a sewer collapsed.

The closure angered residents who said motorists were ignoring a diversion, by using surrounding residential streets as a rat run.

The road was closed at its junction with Dilbridge Road East and Alderton Road and a diversion was signposted along Ipswich Road and St John’s Road.

An Anglian Water spokesman said the road will be briefly closed again after tonight’s rush hour but will re-open by tomorrow morning.

He said: “They are going to need to put up traffic lights to carry out more work to the manhole.

“They have worked really hard to get it all done with the minimum fuss.”

Meanwhile 15 weeks of roadworks began yesterday on Ipswich Road, Colchester.

The road will be reduced to one lane near the Balkerne Gate restaurant.

The road is being widened and an entrance is being created so a possible new restaurant can be built.

Cones were being laid out for the work yesterday afternoon however traffic lights are not due to be installed until Monday.