DRIVERS are being warned to brace themselves for a year of traffic disruption as work has started on a year of roadworks.

Essex Highways has started putting cogs in motion to improve Ipswich Road in Colchester, a road renowned for traffic tailbacks.

The scheme is designed to alleviate congestion, improve access and support the growth of Colchester.

But there will be no gain without pain as the £10 million of works are due to take more than a year to complete.

Essex Highways said Colchester is growing and to support that growth it needs to provide extra capacity on the roads.

It must also invest in a transport network which will support both housing and economic growth in the years to come.

Traffic modelling has been undertaken and analysis and investigation show the proposals “will improve the overall capacity at both junctions”.

Works will include replacing the double roundabouts at Ipswich Road and Harwich Road with a single roundabout at each location.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “Changing the existing double mini-roundabouts into a single roundabout with widened approaches increases efficiency.

“It is a less complicated arrangement where all movements need to give way just once, and drivers are able to access and egress the junction more efficiently.

“As a single roundabout, there will be less manoeuvres and conflict points between traffic when compared with the existing mini-roundabout arrangement, meaning the scheme will provide overall safety improvements.”

The carriageway between Ipswich Road and Harwich Road junctions will also be widened to accommodate two lanes in each direction. Existing pedestrian crossings will be upgraded to signal controlled crossings including general improvements to cycle and footpaths.

The spokesman added: “The scheme will improve the performance of these two key intersections on the A133 and renewal of the infrastructure will reduce maintenance costs.

“It will also improve the existing highway assets including the strengthening of the retaining wall between Ipswich Road roundabout and the adjoining railway line.”

Eurovia has been awarded the contract and expects to be on site until winter 2019.

A meet the contractor drop-in session with the Eurovia team to discuss the arrangements was held last week.

But while it is hoped the new £10 million project will alleviate congestion, drivers will face a succession of temporary road closures while work is undertaken,

Key roads affected will be Ipswich Road south, Harwich Road south and Ipswich Road north.

Specific dates for road closures are not available at the moment, however, directly affected residents and businesses will be notified in advance through letter drops and via the county council’s website.

The Essex Highways spokesman added: “Each road closure is anticipated to last three to four weeks and they will be done separately to each other.

“One road closure will be in place this calendar year, Ipswich Road south, which will be communicated once dates are confirmed.”

The road closures will be advertised in advance on site signage as well as on the website at www.essex.gov.uk/majorschemes.

Further information and updates will be provided to residents and businesses when the works are taking place nearby.

The spokesman added: “Advance warning notices and appropriate traffic management will be in place and adjusted according to the phases of the work to ensure the safety of the public and the workforce.

“Every effort will be made to maintain property and business access, however, some delays may be experienced depending on the operations being undertaken at the time.

“We would encourage residents and businesses to check the latest updates on the website.

“For general inquiries, residents may contact the Essex County Council customer service team on 0345 603 7631.

“We encourage all users to allow extra time, plan journeys during these works and take additional care when passing through the area.”

Campaigners have raised concerns the scheme could end up being a danger to cyclists.