TRAFFIC engineers are carrying out a topographical survey at Felixstowe's dock spur roundabout to prepare for more safety work this autumn, it emerged today.

By Richard Cornwell

TRAFFIC engineers are carrying out a land survey at Felixstowe's dock spur roundabout to prepare for more safety work this autumn, it emerged today.

All three roads off the A14 junction have been coned off to one lane each way.

The work is being done at quiet times and the cones removed for rush hours. But the single lanes are still causing tailbacks, especially for east-bound traffic.

A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said no work was being done at the site this week.

She said:"A topographical survey is being undertaken as part of the preparatory work for the scheme scheduled for this autumn.

"The road has been reduced to single lanes for the safety of those carrying out the survey."

The work is being done between 9.30am and 3.30pm and should be completed today.

The agency has plans to spend £35,000 to change some road markings, paint 20mph advisory lorry speed limits on the carriageway and add some new signs.

Felixstowe councillors have also asked for signs warning truckers of the reduced speed limit and the danger of their lorries overturning to be moved further from the roundabout to give them time to slow down.

Councillors also want the give-way lines put back and the dedicated turn left lane removed on the approach from the port.

There have been 18 accidents involving lorries at the junction in the past six years. Four of them have been in the past six months – three trucks overturning and one shedding its five-ton load on to the inside lane.

Highways chiefs insist the crashes are due to driver error, faulty vehicles and poor loading, not the road lay-out.