Colchester: Ipswich Road roadworks cause rush hour chaos

Electricity work started in Ipswich Road last week and saw temporary traffic lights installed close to the Rovers Tye pub.

Yesterday, the Gazette reported motorists were facing delays in the area after the temporary lights became stuck on red overnight.

Essex Highways said an inspector had visited and the lights were functioning properly once again.

Temporary traffic lights in Ipswich Road (Image: Public)

But drivers heading towards the A12 are still reporting queues back as far as Waitrose, while congestion is back as far as junction 29 of the A12 (the Crown interchange) in the opposite direction, according to AA Roadwatch.

One rush-hour motorist said their commute had become an "absolute nightmare".

They said: "I've been stuck on Ipswich Road now for about 15 minutes and traffic is moving really slowly - so much so even when the traffic lights near the Rovers Tye turn green the traffic still doesn't move forward any further.

“Cars are seemingly backed up all the way to the Ipswich Road roundabout near Waitrose and also in the opposite direction towards the roundabout which joins onto the A12.

“Getting onto the Severalls Business Park is also proving a struggle. It's just chaos.”