RESIDENTS are being warned of disruption to their village as preparations are made for up to six weeks of roadworks.

Essex Highways have written to residents in Gestingthorpe to give them notice of work which is expected to last until the end of February.

The roadworks are set to begin on Monday, January 18, on Sudbury Road to sort out issues with a 130-metre stretch of stream which runs alongside the road.

The work, which is being carried out by Essex Highways, will focus on a retaining wall separating the stream from the road.

The wall has failed in places, forcing officials to put up temporary barriers between the stream and the road.

The watercourse has also begun to undercut the wall.

Essex Highways say the wall will be replaced with an embankment to support the carriageway while the watercourse will be diverted further away from the road.

Highways expect the work to be finished by February 26 and Sudbury Road will be closed to vehicles 24 hours a day for the duration, although traffic lights will be used where possible.

There will still be pedestrian access.

In a letter to residents, Essex Highways said: “This will allow machinery and equipment to be safely manoeuvred on the highway and to provide the necessary protection to the public and the workforce.

“Whenever possible and safe to during these works, we will re-open the road using two-way temporary traffic lights."

A signed diversion will be in place along Church Street, Hedingham Road, Church Road and The Street.

Highways said: “We urge drivers to take additional care and observe traffic management and signage in place during the closure.

“We appreciate that these works may cause temporary noise and inconvenience to local residents for which we would like to apologise."