MOTORISTS have been warned to brace themselves as notoriously disruptive roadworks return with a vengeance.

Parts of Ipswich Road and Harwich Road in Colchester will be closed for traffic for near FOUR weeks in total due to the on-going works to create single roundabouts in St Andrew’s Avenue.

Drivers enjoyed a brief reprieve when the £9 million scheme was suspended over the Christmas holidays.

But now Essex Highways and contractors Eurovia have announced the two roads will be closed as part of the next phase of work.

A letter sent to Colchester councillors said: “As you will know this is a vital scheme to improve traffic flows for the immediate and long term future of the town.

“Therefore, preparations are being made to close Ipswich Road and Harwich Road, Colchester.

“The closures are required for the safety of the public and workforce while water and gas main diversion works are undertaken.”

The dates for the road closures are:

  •  February 18 to March 11 - The northbound carriageway in Ipswich Road will be closed between Fenwick Drive and the Ipswich Road roundabout, a distance of about 70m.
  •  March 11 to March 15 - Both sides of Ipswich Road will be closed between Fenwick Drive and the Ipswich Road roundabout, a distance of approximately 70m.
  •  April 1 to April 22 - Both sides of Harwich Road will be closed from the junction of Greenstead Road in a north easterly direction to its junction with the Harwich Road roundabouts.

The works will be carried out between 7am and 8pm.

The three mile diversion for the Ipswich Road closure will be via East Street, Brook Street, Barrack Street, Hythe Hill, Maudlyn Road, Hythe Quay Colne Causeway, St Andrew’s Avenue, Ipswich Road roundabout and vice versa.

The diversion for the Harwich Road closure will be via St Andrew’s Avenue, Ipswich Road, East Street and vice versa.

Bus operators have been informed of the closures so adjustments can be made to their services.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “Contractors for Anglian Water will dig large holes in the road during the three weeks of partial closures to connect to the new pipes recently laid.

“The full road closure for a week will see an open trench for flushing tests through pipes right across the road and a new manhole chamber being constructed on the southbound footpath going down Ipswich Road south.

“Because we must provide an alternative route for pedestrians on this narrow section again we must close the road.

“The Harwich Road closure is for the Cadent Gas main diversions and again requires excavations in the road and pavement which unfortunately does not leave sufficient width to be able to keep the road open on safety grounds.”