IT is almost time for the big bang!Sunday at 6pm, will be the time that Russell House, one of TXU's Ipswich offices, will literally bite the dust, as a controlled explosion razes the building to the ground.

IT is almost time for the big bang!

Sunday at 6pm, will be the time that Russell House, one of TXU's Ipswich offices, will literally bite the dust, as a controlled explosion razes the building to the ground.

The cleared site will then be redeveloped into a five-storey UK business centre for TXU Europe, of which Eastern Energy is a part.

West Yorkshire-based Controlled Demolition Group will be in charge of the explosives, but unlike some of the town's former landmarks which have met a similar end, this occasion will have limited spectator space.

At 4pm, the police and the demolition company will set up an exclusion zone surrounding the building. This zone will border Sir Alf Ramsey Way, Portman Road and West End Road.

Although these roads will remain in use – apart from Sir Alf Ramsey Way, which is already partially closed for the construction of Ipswich Town's new stand – Constantine Road and Russell Road will be closed between 4pm and 7pm.

Chancery Road will be closed from 5.55pm until 6.05pm only.

Sunday has been chosen because it will have a lesser impact on town trading, but all premises within the exclusion zone will be evacuated and there will be no access until around 7pm. There are no residential premises in the area. Paul Marsh, TXU Europe's chief operating officer, said: "This is a great way to mark the end of an era and the start of an exciting new period for our staff and Ipswich.

"After the big bang, which is no louder than a passenger plane flying overhead, we will be able to get on with building our new UK business centre in the heart of Ipswich Village."

Charles Moran, controlled demolition group's managing director, added: "It's great fun to see a building brought down in this way but people do need to be made aware that viewing possibilities are limited."

The demolition will be visible from the Alderman Road Recreation area and Gippeswyk Park but after 4pm parking in that part of town will also be limited, due to the setting up of the exclusion zone.

The new business centre costing £35 million and spanning 160,000 sq ft will house TXU's 1,000 staff which are currently situated in five separate offices around Ipswich.

There will also be a multi-storey car park on Constantine Road.