Traffic delays on one of Ipswich’s busiest routes into town have been caused by a gas leak.

Ipswich Star: Roadworks in Vernon Street which have been in place for two weeks with no sign of work taking place.Roadworks in Vernon Street which have been in place for two weeks with no sign of work taking place.

Part of the lane heading into town on Vernon Street has been closed for two weeks after gas was found to be escaping and going into a series of ducts.

The work, being carried out by National Grid engineers, has left traffic unable to pass at peak times, with severe tailbacks on morning and afternoon journeys. A National Grid spokeswoman said that the engineers had to leave the gas to vent before the hole could be filled in, as there is a risk of gas entering nearby buildings through the ducts if time hadn’t been allowed to vent.

A Suffolk County Council spokesman said they had been given an estimated time of finishing as today, although this is now considered unlikely, with gas still needing to be vented. In light of the busy nature of the road, which joins with Wherstead Road, specialist technology will be used to help identify the leaks and speed up the work time.

The National Grid spokeswoman added: “That normally takes a day, but we are going to do it overnight to minimise any traffic disruption. We are monitoring it regularly and we will continue to do so.”