Motorists in Kesgrave have been plagued by more roadworks after a damaged sewer prompted a new set of temporary traffic lights to be put up.

On Monday Suffolk County Council highways teams were called to the Ropes Drive West roundabout on the A1214 Main Road.

Three-way traffic lights have been put up while teams work to repair the problem.

However, motorists have reported severe delays, with some being stuck in traffic for as long as 50 minutes on the road, which is a key route between Ipswich town centre and Martlesham.

A county council spokesman said: “These are private sewer works being undertaken to replace a damaged sewer pipe serving Kesgrave Quarry.

“The works require deep excavations within the highway in order to renew the damaged sewer. This has necessitated three-way lights on the Ropes Drive roundabout in order to create the working space to allow the work to be undertaken safely.

“The deep excavations mean that the signals cannot be removed to allow the road to be reopened during the morning and evening peak hours.”

The work comes as the second phase or drainage improvements began in Bell Lane this week, while National Grid work at the roundabout connecting the A1214 with Heath Roadhas also slowed traffic.

The county council spokesman added: “The work is being carried out during the school holiday period when the nearby schools are closed and the peak traffic flows are slightly lower.

“We have been working with the contractors to ensure that the disruption to traffic is kept to a minimum. They will be working extended hours whist the traffic signals are in place. This will keep the period when the signals will be required to a minimum.”

Have you been held up by the latest set of work? Comment below or email newsroom@archant.co.uk with your thoughts.