DELAYS mean part of Ipswich Road is set to remain closed for another week.

Four weeks of water main works started in June with the road due to reopen last Sunday.

It was announced last week the works had been delayed by a week, but this has now been further extended by another seven days.

In a Tweet Essex Highways said: "Ipswich Rd South in Colchester to remain closed another week.

"Anglian Water contractors have found further issues as try to connect newly-diverted water main.

"They have not been able to shut down the valves due to their age. Is oldest part of water network in town."

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: "We greatly regret having to close this busy road for another week but we have no choice as water connection issues have not been resolved as predicted.

"It is unfortunately beyond our control.

"I know that Anglian Water engineers are doing everything they can to isolate the problem and put it right so we can re-open the road.

"We will let you know as the work progresses."