Resurfacing works are set to take place next month as a long-running roadworks scheme comes to its final stages.

Parts of Ipswich Road in Colchester will close overnight for a period of two weeks from March 15 to allow resurfacing works on the carriageway.

Phase one of the works will see the road resurfaced in Ipswich Road north, Cowdray Avenue eastbound and St Andrew’s eastbound.

Harwich Road south will be used as a holding area for residents and businesses looking to access St Andrew’s Gardens during the works, with marshals on site directing traffic.

The second phase will then see Ipswich Road south, St Andrew’s Avenue westbound and Cowdray Avenue westbound relaid.

Closures will be in place between 8pm and 6am while the works continue, with the noisiest works set to be complete before 11.30pm.

Traffic lights, lane closures and full road closures will be used during the two weeks.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “Preparations are being made to close Ipswich Road to allow the fi - nal surfacing to be completed, work which has previously been delayed due to repairs to the adjacent bridge.

“Cowdray Bridge repairs were not part of the original scheme, however, damage was found while engineers were strengthening the retaining wall to the south and west of the Ipswich Road roundabout.

“It was necessary to delay the final phases of Ipswich Road, utilising the space to check and repair the bridge to ensure any problems do not get worse, prioritising safety while reducing overall disruption of both sets of work.”

The controversial £6.5million roadworks scheme, which will see the rounda - bouts in Ipswich Road and Harwich Road converted into larger single roundabouts, was originally set to be complete in December 2019.

Works are now almost finished, however, cracks discovered in the railway bridge in Cowdray Avenue have caused further delays.

The latest closure will allow the final resurfacing works to take place to the roads.

The Essex Highways spokesman added: “Please drive carefully through and around the works at these times, observing road and lane closures and traffic lights as necessary.”

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