Motorists in Ipswich are being warned to expect delays on one of the town centre’s key roads from next week – with work planned for four weeks.

%image(15205984, type="article-full", alt="The "temporary" road closure outside Quay Place. Picture: PAUL GEATER")

From Monday, work will take place to permanently close Foundation Street, which links Star Lane and Key Street and has been closed for the last 20 months.

But as part of the four-week work, lane closures will be in place in Star Lane, with delays expected on the route during that time.

In September, work to upgrade traffic lights in the area caused tailbacks in Star Lane back to the roundabout near Cardinal Park.

The road is one that already experiences a lot of traffic at peak times, providing a key route between the town centre and south east Ipswich.

A week ahead of work beginning, motorists are being urged to remember there are likely to be delays.

A Suffolk County Council highways spokesman said: “There will be alternate lane closures in place along Star Lane throughout the works.

“There are likely to be delays, so do allow extra time for your journey during the improvement works.”

Foundation Street was first closed as work to renovate Quay Place got underway, and during that time a decision to permanently close the road was made. It is believed that the closure will make it safer for pedestrians, cyclists and road users.

The work will take place in two phases – the first from October 23 to November 3 in Foundation Street, while November 6-17 will feature work at the Star Lane and Lower Brook Street junction, where the junction will be closed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Despite work in Star Lane for street lighting only having taken place last month, it is understood that the two sets of work were unable to be co-ordinated because the street lighting works couldn’t accommodate the four weeks of work needed for Foundation Street.

Planners decided to begin the work next week to coincide with the start of half term in a bid to lessen the impact on traffic.

From Monday, new signage and street lighting will be going up in Key Street for three days, which may also cause some delays.

It is understood this work is part of development on the Wine Rack.