PART of Ipswich Road could reopen ahead of schedule but motorists have been warned to expect more disruption as another busy route is set to be shut for two weeks.

The south part of Ipswich Road in Colchester has been closed while piling work is completed.

The road had been expected to be closed until June 16, but Essex Highways says contractors are or target to reopen the road in the next week.

Work is being carried out on the retaining wall for workforce and public safety as part of the next phase of the £6.5 million Ipswich Road scheme which has been under way since September 2018.

Highways bosses have also announced they will need to close the south part of Harwich Road for works from the evening of June 14.

It is expected to take two weeks and the road will reopen on Monday, June 29.

The latest update said: “We are hopeful that we can reopen Ipswich road soon.

“With that in mind we will be looking to close Harwich Road south with no access to this area from the Harwich Road roundabout as from the evening of June 14. A full diversion will be in place.”

Work is being carried out between 7am and 8pm, however, due to safety reasons the road closures are required at all times. Full access will be maintained for residents, pedestrians, cyclists and businesses, with signs indicating business open as usual.

A vital part of the road improvement scheme on the A133 Ipswich Road to Harwich Road is to make single roundabouts.

The project to turn the double roundabouts connecting the town centre, the University of Essex and the A12, into two single roundabouts was initially due to be completed by December 2019.