Motorists on one of the busiest routes into Ipswich town centre face a fresh headache from Monday, as more roadworks are planned.

Ipswich Star: Signs on the approach to Heath Road roundabout warning of roadworks for six weeks.Signs on the approach to Heath Road roundabout warning of roadworks for six weeks.

Signs have been put up at the hospital roundabout junction that connects the A1214 with Heath Road, stating that work will begin on Monday and last for around six weeks, although it is believed it will take up to 10 weeks.

The work, organised by National Grid and set to be carried out by partners Triio, is an upgrade to gas mains which engineers say will maintain them until the end of the century.

National Grid authorising engineer Vince Doggett said: “This is a vital project to ensure that the residents and businesses in the Ipswich area continue to enjoy a safe and reliable gas supply for many years to come.

“We appreciate that this is a main route through Ipswich and we will make every effort to minimise any inconvenience caused by our work. We have planned the project during the summer school holidays as there is less traffic on the roads. However, we would still advise motorists to leave extra time for their journeys, particularly at morning and evening peak times. We would like to thank people for their patience and co-operation.”

The National Grid roadworks will follow a prolonged period of work by highways teams that began in April around Major’s Corner and St Helen’s Street as part of the Travel Ipswich improvements.

But news of another set of roadworks and likely delays as one lane is expected to be closed has left some drivers sounding their frustrations.

Martin Curtis commenting on the Ipswich Star Facebook page said there were too many roadworks going on, while Debbie Hawkins commented: “Fed up with this, I live there.”

Lorraine Keogh, also via Facebook, said: “Ipswich and surrounding roads re roadworks are a nightmare. We travel a lot up and down the county on A12 and A14 driving staff and it seems it’s continual diversions, crashes etc.”

Conrad Robert-Smith Packwood added: “I can’t believe they are causing so much disruption on our roads in Ipswich.”

But some readers were pleased that the work will begin as the school holidays start, in a bid to create as little impact as possible.

Louise Powell commented online: “The best time for the Heath Road works is school holidays as there is a lot less traffic. It’s all for our benefit in the end so I don’t feel the need to complain.”

Online reader Transol added: “What are we moaning about – we can still get about.”