Severe delays around the one way system in Ipswich this afternoon are set to continue into rush hour tomorrow morning as temporary traffic lights due to be taken down earlier have had to stay in place.

Suffolk County Council’s highways contractors have been carrying out off-peak street lighting work on the roundabout connecting College Street, Star Lane, Grey Friars Road and Bridge Street.

The work, which takes place from September 4-8 is due to finish by around 3.30pm each afternoon to allow peak traffic to move without hindrance.

However, contractors having to leave the site for emergency work elsewhere this afternoon meant temporary traffic lights set up at the College Street pedestrian crossing next to St Peter’s by the Waterfront had to remain in place, causing severe tailbacks.

A spokesman from Suffolk County Council said that the existing traffic lights had to be switched off with temporary lights at that junction while work on the electricity was going on, but the technician was called to an emergency work.

As work on the existing traffic lights had not been completed, they could not be switched back on this afternoon which means the temporary lights have had to remain in place.

The spokesman confirmed this would remain in place until tomorrow morning, with work on the existing lights due to be finished tomorrow morning after rush hour.

He added: “We would like to remind motorists there could be delays in the morning. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during the morning rush hour.”

The issue, coupled with a single lane closure for existing work in College Street, meant traffic this afternoon was queued right back along Key Street, Grimwade Street and into Spring Road, while traffic on the roundabout along Star Lane was also gridlocked.

Some motorists in the area reported delays of more than 45 minutes from the Spring Lane viaduct to the College Street pedestrian crossing.

Motorists are being urged to expect delays once again in the morning, and use alternate routes where possible.