Thousands of homes and businesses along the route for the Great East Run have been contacted ahead of the event next month, as organisers aim to eradicate issues from last year.

Ipswich Star: Great East Run bosses said 10,000 letters had been issued to homes and businesses over road closures Picture: ANDY ABBOTTGreat East Run bosses said 10,000 letters had been issued to homes and businesses over road closures Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

The event was first staged in Ipswich in 2017, attracting around 3,000 runners.

But some homes and businesses only found out about the road closures just days before the event, prompting a wave of criticism about how the run had been communicated to locals.

This year, organisers have confirmed that 10,000 letters have been distributed to those along the routes four weeks ahead of the September 16 event.

A spokeswoman from the Great East Run said: “Four weeks prior to the event, 10,000 residents and businesses along the route were contacted with detailed road closure and re-opening information, and a map of the course.

“Preparations for the big day are well underway and we’re delighted to be welcoming an additional 500 runners to the start line in 2018.

“Around 3,500 people are expected to participate in the Simplyhealth Great East Run this year and we’ll continue to work with our local partners to ensure the event can grow and attract more runners from both around the region and throughout the UK in the years to come.”

Road closures are to take place in phases, closing from either 6am, 7.30am or 9am ahead of the 10am race start, and re-open in phases from 11.15am, 1pm, 1.35pm, 2pm and 3pm.

Russell Road where the run begins will close from 2pm on the Saturday.

Ipswich Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny committee will discuss the matter on Thursday this week, following a report earlier in the summer which said that “vastly improved” forewarning of closures was needed.

Following the report, the Great East Run said that feedback and lessons learnt from last year had been incorporated into this year’s plan.

A borough council spokesman added: “We are pleased that the event organisers and the county council have worked hard to address the concerns raised last year and we are pleased with the progress made.

“We hope this great event will be much smoother for residents affected.”

A Suffolk Highways spokeswoman said: “We are pleased that the advanced warning for road closures has improved following last year’s event.

“Our teams work closely with Ipswich Borough Council, traffic management and event organisers to ensure those affected are informed and given enough notice of the closures.”

“We would like to wish the 3,500 runners good luck in taking part in the Great East Run 2018.”

To see the full route plan and road closures, visit the website here.

The roads affected by closures and parking restrictions are as follows:

Russell Road (start)

Chancery Road

Princes Street

Museum Street

Westgate Street

Cornhill

Tavern Street

Upper Brook Street

Buttermarket

Queen Street

Falcon Street

Old Cattle Market

Dogs Head Street

Lower Brook Street

Star Lane

Lower Orwell Street

Eagle Street

Rope Walk

Grimwade Street

Duke Street

Myrtle Road

Holywells Park

Cliff Lane

Holywells Road

Patteson Road

Waterfront

St Peters Dock

Dock Street

Stoke Quay

New Cut West

Hawes Street

Wherstead Road

The Strand

Vernon Street

Grafton Way

Commercial Road

Cardinal Street

Chalon Street

Portman Road

Sir Alf Ramsey Way (finish)