DEMOLITION bosses are today investigating after scaffolding at Ipswich Waterfront collapsed onto the road during high winds.Traffic was halted when a reported six-storey block of scaffolding attached to a derelict building fell down.

DEMOLITION bosses are today investigating after scaffolding at Ipswich Waterfront collapsed onto the road during high winds.

Traffic was halted when a reported six-storey block of scaffolding attached to a derelict building fell down.

Drivers watched as scaffolding collapsed into their path on Key Street. Police were called to divert traffic as construction staff began an immediate clear-up.

The work is being done by demolitions contractor 777. Paul Wilson, operations manager (demolition division) said: “Because of the wind there was a partial pull. That is when scaffolding pulls from the side of the building.

“It's relatively natural in high winds and, subsequently, the rest of it was dismantled overnight. It's for reasons like this we have people on stand-by 24 hours a day.

“We are looking at it and have spoken to the local authority and the highways agency about it.”

The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning. Mr Wilson said only part of Key Street remains open at night and that traffic is controlled for safety reasons by stop and go signs.

He said work is being done at night because Key Street is a busy road.

An 18-year-old from the Stoke area of Ipswich witnessed the incident.

She did not want to be identified but said: “I was in a car with a group of friends and there were two cars in front of us. Both suddenly slammed their brakes on and I saw all this scaffolding falling on to the road. It looked unreal.

“It started falling from the top and then just crumbled. There was the plastic covering, the metal and the panels people stand on - they all came down.

“It's scary that if we had been driving that bit further on we would have been caught by it.

“Workers in hard hats were on the scene very quickly, diverting the cars.”

Lisa Miller, Suffolk police spokesman, said: “We had a call at 2.16am saying six storeys of scaffolding had collapsed and was all over the road, and that the remaining of the standing scaffolding was wobbling.

“It was a call from someone who lived in a flat nearby and was watching it happen. We attended and redirected traffic through the town to avoid the area.”

Did you witness the collapse? Call The Evening Star newsroom on 01473 324788.

n. See page 15 for the latest on the waterfront demolition.