A bus driver has said emergency roadworks in Ipswich town centre are causing “absolute chaos”.

Temporary traffic lights were put in place on Wednesday in St Helen’s Street outside The Regent Theatre by UK Power Networks.

A spokeswomen from the company said this was done to complete “emergency” repairs to an underground cable following a power cut to a property in Upper Orwell Street.

She said It was unlikely that the traffic lights would be gone by tomorrow but added: “We are working with our contractors to get them removed as soon as possible.”

This comes during a seven-day closure of a section Woodbridge Road, which is adjacent to St Helen’s Street, because of a collapsed sewer. An Ipswich Park and Ride bus driver, who did not want to be named, said the roadworks have led to one hour tailbacks in the centre of town.

He said it happened with “no warning”, and that the traffic was backing up to Caudwell Hall Road.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous and I don’t know what the council must have been thinking,” he added.

“Why could they not have waited for one to finish before staring the other?”

A Suffolk County Council spokesman said they were in communication with UK Power Networks to try and co-ordinate work for minimum disruption.

He added: “If they decide that urgent mains work are required it’s a statutory duty that they can do when they choose.”