AS spring finally seems to have arrived, Ipswich Waterfront is preparing for the biggest single transformation over the next few weeks.Two of the largest silos beside the Wet Dock are to come down as soon as preparation work next to them is completed.

AS spring finally seems to have arrived, Ipswich Waterfront is preparing for the biggest single transformation over the next few weeks.

Two of the largest silos beside the Wet Dock are to come down as soon as preparation work next to them is completed.

The silos on the Cranfields site and at Pauls Albion Maltings are to come down as soon as the rubble next to them has been removed.

Once this rubble has gone, contractors CDC and 777 respectively will be able to get their heavy machinery in to bring down the landmarks from their sites.

The huge Pauls silo is now covered by scaffolding and plastic sheeting on three sides to prevent rubble from falling on to the road or into the Wet Dock itself.

Only one wall is exposed, and it is through this wall that demolition contractors will access the building.

The demolition of both silos is due to start by the end of the month - and by June they should be only a memory.

The Paul's silo will be replaced by a 14-storey block of flats, similar in size to the existing building, but the Cranfields silo will be replaced by 23-storey block which will be half as tall again as it is.

Further around the Waterfront, the first section of the Persimmon Homes' development at Orwell Quay is now nearing completion.

The centrepiece of the development, a central restaurant/café with a sail-style roof is expected to be completed during the summer.

Between the Orwell Quay development and the recently-completed Neptune Quay flats is the land that has been set aside for the new University Campus Suffolk (UCS).