Rebuilding work at the two bus stations in Ipswich is likely to continue until the new year after contractors at the Old Cattle Market hit major problems.

During the rebuilding of the “county” bus station, they discovered that mains services – water, gas and electricity – were not as far underground as first thought.

That means they have to be lowered and this will delay work for several weeks.

The work that was due to be complete by the beginning of August will now not be finished until the second half of September. This has a knock-on effect at the town’s other bus station – Tower Ramparts.

Work there is due to start once the Old Cattle Market is finished – and the delay means Tower Ramparts is still likely to be unfinished by the Christmas shopping season.

In that case the work will be suspended from mid-November to ensure there is as little disruption as possible during the vital run-up to Christmas.

Unlike during the work at the Old Cattle Market, Tower Ramparts will not be totally closed – some stands nearest the road will remain open, and there will be temporary stands behind Debenhams and Marks and Spencer.

However bosses at BID company Ipswich Central are anxious to ensure it operates as normal over Christmas.

Ipswich Central chief executive Paul Clement said: “We have regular meetings with county council officials and they fully understand how important it is that there is as little disruption as possible over the Christmas period.”

What do you think of the Travel Ipswich project? Will this work transform our town centre? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or you can send an email to starnews@archant.co.uk