Roadworks cause disruption in Felixstowe

MOTORISTS are facing lengthy diversions in Felixstowe for two weeks as roadworks take place at one of the town's busiest junctions.

Contractors are replacing the stone sets in the Orwell roundabout, used by thousands of cars, trucks and buses each day.

The stones have only been in place a few years and were originally installed as a safety measure to try to force drivers to go slower around the roundabout following a series of minor accidents.

The edging line of stones between the tarmac and sets was removed not long after they were installed after being pounded by traffic and breaking loose, and some of the stones and road surface have since deteriorated.

The work is set to take a fortnight. This week the High Road West junction has been closed to traffic, and next week High Road East will be affected.

Temporary traffic lights have been installed to allow the route between Hamilton Road and Beatrice Avenue to remain open, but drivers have been forced to take long diversions to reach the town centre - via Garrison Lane and Cobbold Road - and some school buses have arranged alternative routes.

Traders said while the top end of Hamilton Road had been quieter with much less traffic, the main area of the shopping centre had not noticed any loss of business. Motorists were clearly using the diversions or finding alternative routes to reach the area.

Former mayor Andy Smith said the roadworks were causing “tremendous disruption” and felt there must have been a quicker way of doing them.

County councillor Ann Rodwell said: “We have had some tremendous traffic jams this week and I hope the work finishes as quickly as possible.”

In a letter to the town council, county council safety engineer Robert Lee said the granite kerbs had to be set in concrete and this needed three to seven days to set before traffic could go over the stones.