Work to rebuild one of the busiest sections of road in central Ipswich is set to cause problems for motorists until July.

But county council officials are confident that the redesign of the roads in the Bond Street/St Helen’s Street/Major’s Corner area will improve traffic flow.

The redesign was a key element of the £21m Travel Ipswich project – and although some at the county council insist this scheme has now been completed, many at Endeavour House say this should be a significant step in making the new road network flow better.

Teams of workers will be working around the clock on some weekdays to ensure the work is completed by early July.

As well as changing the lane system, the traffic lights will also be connected up to the new Urban Traffic Management Control system which should allow vehicles to travel around the town with fewer jams – even during rush hours.

The work at St Helen’s Street and Major’s Corner will be followed by the reconstruction of the Queen Street/Princes Street area of the town.

The pedestrianisation of those two roads is expected to take longer – from mid summer until the start of the Christmas shopping season at the end of November – but it is not expected to cause so much traffic disruption because the roads involved do not carry as many vehicles.

County council cabinet member for Ipswich Christopher Hudson said the works were essential for the town centre – and felt it was good news to see them underway.

He said: “I am more optimistic about the future of Ipswich town centre now than I have been at any time for years, and I think that optimism is shared by many people around the town.

“There is still a great deal to do, not just with the roads but with other parts of the town centre as well – but if this can help solve some of the traffic problems that have developed over recent years that will be very good news for everyone who lives or works in Ipswich.”