A MULTI-million pound scheme to transform the town centre is well under way – leaving motorists facing lengthy queues.

Work on the �21million Travel Ipswich project began in the summer with changes to the Portman Road and Handford Road junction.

But yesterday the most significant aspects of the project so far began.

This phase of the development will see the Civic Drive roundabout converted into a junction controlled by traffic lights.

Although the entire road isn’t closed off, there was still enough disruption to ensure congestion in the area.

Long queues formed throughout the day, with one lane open to traffic on both sides of the road.

A spokesman for the county council said: “The aim of Travel Ipswich is to improve the built environment and look of the town so it’s an attractive place to live, work and do business.

“We’re doing everything we can to minimise the impact of the works, including scheduling them, as much as possible, during less busy periods.

“We will monitor traffic movements carefully and do what we can to keep the roads flowing.”

The plans will see the subways filled, the pedestrian guard rails will be removed, while new wider footways will be created.

Planners previously said they hoped to cause as little disruption as possible, with the work being carried out outside of peak times between 9am and 4.30pm.

Work on the junction is due to continue until April next year – although it will be suspended between late November and early January to ease disruption over the Christmas period.

For details on how the work is going and when changes are taking place, visit www.travelipswich.co.uk