Work to repair the A12 between Ipswich and the Essex border has been delayed again – meaning motorists will continue to suffer from a 40mph limit well into June.

The final roadworks are not now expected to be completed until the end of next month – and there is also a warning that “dates may be subject to further change.”

When the repair work started on the road in December, the Highways’ Agency said work should be completed by the end of March.

Earlier this year the agency said the work would continue until the end of May – blaming difficulties with the work and “bad winter weather.”

Now it has been renamed Highways England – but it is still announcing delays which will frustrate motorists.

The speed restrictions on the road are now expected to be removed by the middle of June, but the final work is not expected to be completed until the end of the month.

And there is an ominous warning in their press release: “The work is dependent on suitable weather conditions, and dates may be subject to further change.”

Highways England Service Delivery Team Leader Aran Nugent, said: “I appreciate this will be frustrating news for drivers, but I’d ask them to bear with us while we complete this important work.

“By taking the extra time now and completing the job to a high standard, we can reduce the likelihood of future repairs.

“The work has taken longer than we anticipated because of various operational issues which has slowed down how quickly we can complete the work.

“Our contractors have had issues with the plant, which supplies the materials, and we also postponed work over the Bank Holiday to help drivers setting off for the half-term break.”

However the delay did not impress new South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge.

He said: “I am disappointed to see that motorists using the South Suffolk section of the A12 will have to face another month of disruption.

“I appreciate that there can be hitches along the way for this type of work, but a further month of imposed speed restrictions is not the news motorists wanted to hear and I sincerely hope that there will be no further delays.

“It should not be forgotten that while motorists have benefitted from recent freezes on fuel duty brought in by the Government, it remains the case that they pay a lot of tax and do expect to see maintenance work completed when promised.”