A loop road will be closed at Ipswich Hospital while work takes place ahead of the opening of a new multi-million pound A&E department.

According to East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), the road at the south end of the site will be shutting.

This will allow for "important" road works to take place ahead of the opening of the new A&E department, which also includes an urgent treatment centre and an operating theatre hub.

The work will see improvements made to the road as well as making it safe for ambulances to reach the new A&E.

Further improvements will be made for buses and pedestrians using the area.

The closure is due to start on Wednesday, May 24, and will run until September.

Ipswich Star: A map of work affecting Ipswich HospitalA map of work affecting Ipswich Hospital (Image: ESNEFT)

During that time, patients and visitors will no longer be able to use the drop-off zone directly outside A&E and the Garrett Anderson Centre.

A new drop-off and pick-up zone will be available in car park D.

Buses visiting the south of the site will continue to stop at the bus stops on Heath Road.

Pedestrians will no longer be able to use the crossings on the loop road, nor the island in the middle of the loop road, but a new zebra crossing will be opening between car parks D and F.

Furthermore, a new pedestrian walkway will also open this summer to help people get from car park F to the main entrance.

The A&E department, urgent treatment centre and operating theatre hub are due to open next year.