Traffic chaos as road collapses

TRAFFIC mayhem hit Ipswich today after the mystery collapse of one of the town's busiest roads - and it could last for days.

A hole has emerged in the middle of the one-way section in Woodbridge Road, between Orchard Street and Blanche Street.

It was originally believed that the problem was down to a collapsed sewer, however after Anglian Water carried out an investigation this was ruled out, putting Ipswich Borough Council back in the spotlight to sort it out.

A spokeswoman for Anglian Water said road gulley connections could be causing the collapse which would be nothing to do with the water company.

And as the morning rush hour hit, the town was plunged into chaos with streets gridlocked as motorists got to grips with the diversions in place.

Those heading along Crown Street were diverted along Soane Street, Westerfield Road, Colchester Road and Sidegate Lane, while people trying to get out of Bolton Lane onto St Margaret's Green at the traffic lights were forced to turn right and join the queuing traffic.

One motorist said: “It's a nightmare, traffic is backed up throughout the town centre.

“Its nose to tail and people are making U-turns to find a different route.”

It comes on the back of two other major traffic problems in the town caused by an overturned lorry at Copdock interchange on Monday and an overturned trailer on the A14 at Orwell Bridge yesterday.

Woodbridge Road is one of the major roads in Ipswich, leading out to Ipswich Hospital, Kesgrave, Martlesham and the A12.

A section of the road was reduced to one lane yesterday as investigations were carried out to discover the cause of the subsidence. Anglian Water engineers carried out a CCTV survey last night, which involved putting a camera into the ground to assess the cause.

From midnight, the section of the road closed completely as repair work got underway.

The temporarily road closure is in place until Sunday, April 27, and it is hoped the work will be completed by then.

A spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council, said: “Our contractors have begun work and this has meant closing the road - possibly for some days. We want to advise motorists that there will inevitably be delays, especially at peak times. We apologise for the inconvenience.

“We are working as hard as we can. We will review the situation as we go along.”

Town-bound traffic will be unaffected by the works as access to Argyle Street will be maintained.

There are several changes to bus routes from Ipswich town centre. Inbound service to Ipswich town centre will not be affected.

How were you affected by the disruption? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

The changes are as follows:

Ipswich Buses:

Service 2: From Tower Ramparts Bus Station via Star Lane, Back Hamlet, Foxhall Road to Tomline Road.

Service 5: From Tower Ramparts Bus Station via Star Lane, Back Hamlet to Foxhall Road

Service 1: From Tower Ramparts Bus Station via Soane Street, Bolton Lane, Tuddenham Road, Colchester Road to Sidegate Lane

Service 22: From Tower Ramparts Bus Station via Soane Street, Westerfield Road, Christchurch Street

First Eastern Counties:

Service 63 to 66: From Old Cattle Market via Star Lane, Felixstowe Road, Heath Road to Woodbridge Road

Service 75: From Old Cattle Market Bus Station via Star Lane, Felixstowe Road, Derby Road, Cauldwell Hall Road, Rushmere Road, Colchester Road to Woodbridge Road and Heath Road

Park and Ride:

Service 802: From Great Colman Street via Bolton Lane, Tuddenham Road, Colchester Road to Woodbridge Road

Other services affected:

Service 70A: (First Eastern Counties, Galloways)

Service 71: (Far East Travel, Country Travel)

Service 165: (Anglian Bus & Coach)

Service 178/179: (Beestons): From Old Cattle Market Bus Station via Great Colman Street, Bolton Lane, Tuddenham Road, Colchester Road, Sidegate Lane to Woodbridge Road