MOTORISTS are being warned to expect delays as work resumes on the Ipswich Road roundabout schemes.

The south part of Ipswich Road in Colchester is set to be closed for up to three weeks while piling work is completed.

The work will be carried out on the retaining wall for workforce and public safety as the next phase of the £6.5 million Ipswich Road improvement scheme which has been under way since September 2018.

The road’s south side will be closed for up to three weeks until June 15 with the road expected to be reopened by June 16.

Ipswich Road South will also be closed on Bank Holiday Monday, May 25.

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

More road space needs to be created and this can only be achieved by strengthening the road next to the railway line south of the A133.

Essex County Council’s highways boss Kevin Bentley said they new layout of the roundabout requires steel and concrete piling to be inserted to support the retaining wall for the road.

He said: “Space must be left between the piling operation and the public for safety, so Ipswich Road south will be closed during the work.

“By competing this major job while traffic volumes are lower we are minimising the impact on the network.

“I am conscious the roads are becoming busier again and we will re-open it as quickly as possible to keep inconvenience to a minimum for everyone.”

Work will be carried out between 7am and 8pm, however, due to safety reasons the road closure is required at all times.

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.

It suffered another setback when staff had to stop work due t the coronavirus pandemic.

It is hoped it will be completed this summer.

Contractor Eurovia has warned some of the works being undertaken will require the use of noisy equipment and may cause some disturbance.

Full access will be maintained for residents, pedestrians, cyclists and businesses, with signs indicating business open as usual wherever appropriate.

A suitable signed diversion route will also be provided.