HIGHWAYS officials say a road labelled by motorists as like "a highway in Afghanistan" is safe to travel on with care.Drivers complained that the road should have been closed after contractors scraped the whole top surface off ready for resurfacing treatment.

HIGHWAYS officials say a road labelled by motorists as like "a highway in Afghanistan" is safe to travel on with care.

Drivers complained that the road should have been closed after contractors scraped the whole top surface off ready for resurfacing treatment.

They said Garrison Lane – one of the main routes to Felixstowe seafront – was left potholed, strewn with chunks of rock and chippings, with manholes and drain covers standing proud, and were afraid vehicles would be damaged.

But David Fawcett, assistant area highways manager with Suffolk County Council, said the road was not closed because the council wanted to keep disruption to a minimum.

"We are carrying out some resurfacing works along Garrison Road in Felixstowe this week to improve the condition of the road," he said.

"In urban areas we have to remove the existing surface beforehand or the road level would be too high and cause drainage problems for nearby properties.

"While the road is in this state we put in ramps and warning signs about the condition of the road but it is safe to travel through with care," he said.

"Where possible we try to keep the road open so as not to cause too much inconvenience to people.

"Traffic management is in place to see the public through the works safely and the work is due to be completed by Friday 21 February.

"Suffolk County Council apologises for any delays the works may cause but it is important to improve the condition of our roads and we have programmed the resurfacing for half term so as to minimise disruption."

Drivers had called for a road closure and diversions either through the town centre or down the dock spur to reach the seafront. One described the road as looking "like a highway in Afghanistan".

n What do you think – should the road have been closed? Write to Evening Star Letters, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1AN, or email EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk

WEBLINK: www.suffolkcc.gov.uk