More east Ipswich traffic chaos

DRIVERS in east Ipswich are facing yet more chaos over the next few weeks as work starts today on repairing Bucklesham bridge.

The bridge over the A12 was damaged back in February when it was hit by the arm of a crusher being taken from the Foxhall waste tip.

The accident caused damage which is costing thousands of pounds to repair - money which will be paid by the insurers of the haulage company.

But there will be disruption to thousands of motorists from today until the end of August.

This comes on top of the work at St Augustine's roundabout which is causing problems for motorists at the other end of Bucklesham Road.

And there are also regular tailbacks at the Nacton interchange caused by the sheer volume of traffic attempting to use the junction at peak times.

Bucklesham Road is closed to all vehicles from today while work starts moving utilities that are carried on the bridge.

Since the bridge was damaged it has been restricted to one lane. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to continue to use the bridge.

In two weeks' time a temporary speed limit will be introduced on the A12 passing under the bridge while it is prepared for partial demolition and replacement.

This will happen over a series of night-time operations at the end of July, at which time the A12 will be closed between 7pm and 7am.

Bucklesham Road is due to reopen on August 8, and the work is due to be finished by August 25.

The work was originally scheduled to start earlier, but was put off until now to ensure there was no disruption to traffic heading to the Suffolk Show.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk County Council said: “This work will inevitably cause some disruption, but it has to be done and we hope problems will be kept to a minimum.

“At least on this occasion there should be no cost to the council because it will be covered by the insurance of the vehicle that hit the bridge.”