A major route into Ipswich town centre is to close for seven weeks from today – prompting warnings to motorists to allow extra time for their journeys.

Ipswich Star: A map showing the road to be closed.A map showing the road to be closed. (Image: Archant)

Work began this morning on the busy stretch of road between the train station and Ancaster Road, and is due to last for around 10 weeks – the first seven of which will feature road closures.

Ranelagh Road will be closed between Burrell Road and Ancaster Road, with overnight closures in place from April 18 to April 30.

Ipswich Star: Roadworks around Ranelagh Road in Ipswich will begin on Monday, and are expected to last around 10 weeks. Picture: Jason NobleRoadworks around Ranelagh Road in Ipswich will begin on Monday, and are expected to last around 10 weeks. Picture: Jason Noble (Image: Archant)

Motorists should instead take one of the following routes:

Ipswich Star: Roadworks around Ranelagh Road in Ipswich will begin on Monday, and are expected to last around 10 weeks. Picture: Jason NobleRoadworks around Ranelagh Road in Ipswich will begin on Monday, and are expected to last around 10 weeks. Picture: Jason Noble (Image: Archant)

– Between Ancaster Road and Burrell Road, a diversion is in place via Stoke Street; Belstead Road; Stone Lodge Lane; Birkfield Drive, Gippeswyk Avenue and Ancaster Road.

Ipswich Star: Stoke Bridge will be available for motorists reaching town. Picture: Lucy TaylorStoke Bridge will be available for motorists reaching town. Picture: Lucy Taylor

– From Princes Street or Commercial Road, motorists can head onto West End Road and continue to the junction with Handford Road. Turn left onto the B1075 Ranelagh Road, which will remain open as far as Ancaster Road. Those heading to Princes Street can use the same route reversed.

Ipswich Star: The junction of West End Road with London Road and Handford Road is one of the diversions while the work is ongoingThe junction of West End Road with London Road and Handford Road is one of the diversions while the work is ongoing

– For motorists coming in to and out of Ipswich via London Road, Handford Road offers the nearest alternative, while those coming to or from Belstead Road and Wherstead Road can reach the town centre via Stoke Bridge. Once in the town centre, Civic Drive and Grey Friars Road connects Handford Road with Stoke Bridge to bypass the worst of the traffic near the river.

Ranelagh Road car park will remain open, and is accessible via the diversion routes outlined. However, route 12 and 13 Ipswich Buses services will run to a reduced timetable.

Other services continuing to the same timetable but via the diversions will be Park and Ride, 14, 15, 15A on evenings and Sundays, 93 and 94C, which Ipswich Buses has urged people to allow extra time for.

Suffolk County Council highways teams will be replacing traffic lights, street lighting, road markings and crossings, as well as work taking place around the station forecourt, while National Grid will be doing essential gas main works.

The plans are to be followed by six-week sewer replacement work from Anglian Water starting in May, but highways bosses insisted the work had been co-ordinated so as not to add additional disruption later on.