FELIXSTOWE'S main thoroughfare from the town to the seafront was closed again today - the second time in a month.

FELIXSTOWE'S main thoroughfare from the town to the seafront was closed again today - the second time in a month.

It appears the problem which struck last time was much more extensive than first thought.

Since the repairs in June, when a four feet deep hole suddenly appeared, people using Bent Hill have been watching two more distinct depressions in the road surface - and fully expected another hole to open up.

The latest hole is about half-way up the steep and winding hill, which joins Hamilton Road to Undercliff Road West.

Anglian Water and Claret Civil Engineering are working on the problem which could take several weeks to repair if the whole road needs to be excavated.

Last month it was discovered a leaking water pipe had eroded material away, causing the road surface to cave in.

Contractors re-lined the collar joint to seal the two pipes and filled the hole. However, it now appears the water erosion was also taking place further down the hill as well.

While the work is taking place, Bent Hill - which is earmarked for a shared pedestrian and vehicle scheme to try to cut traffic using it - is getting a taste of pedestrianisation.

Diversions have been set up with traffic being sent via Wolsey Gardens and Convalescent Hill.

It is the third time such an incident has happened in the town in the past two years.

St Andrew's Road and Gainsborough Road were both closed for a fortnight after holes suddenly appeared in their surfaces.

In both cases, a water pipe had sprung a leak and then over time the water had gradually washed away the soil around it until the road surface broke and a hole appeared.

Is Bent Hill better as a traffic-free zone? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk