When will roadworks in central Ipswich finally be totally completed?
The work still taking place in Queen Street. Picture: PAUL GEATER - Credit: Archant
Is it the end of the Queen Street roadworks – or is this the latest art installation to arrive on the streets of Ipswich?
Contractors Kier have now moved into Coytes Gardens, off Princes Street and appear to be removing the cobbles. Kier are contractors for Suffolk County Council - Credit: Archant
The long drawn-out roadworks that may – or may not – be the final part of the Travel Ipswich project (depending on which council official you speak to) seems to be nearing its conclusion at the junction of Falcon Street and St Nicholas Street.
But a small island of fencing remains at the top of Queen Street. It doesn’t appear to be fencing anything off – it is just a garish piece of street furniture.
A spokesman for the county council said it had been left there to show that Queen Street was closed to traffic before lines could be painted to show it was now a pedestrianised street.
But the fencing did not impress Ipswich Central chief executive Paul Clement: “I’m not sure what the purpose of this is – whether it’s a new piece of art or whether someone has just forgotten about it. I just wish they’d pull their finger out and finish the work!” he said.
Bus shelters will not be installed at Ipswich Station forecourt until June. - Credit: Archant
The work at the top of St Nicholas Street is due to be completed within the next fortnight – but there is still work going on at nearby Coytes Gardens and that is not due to be finished until the end of June.
And the Queen Street area is not the only part of the town to see work delayed – the completion of the station forecourt has been put off until June because of problems with getting the bus shelters installed.
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Street lights and fencing are due to be put in position outside the station towards the end of this month, but the final touches will still have to wait.
The delays have caused frustration from other people in the business community alongside Mr Clement – a frustration that has been picked up by some in the county council.
One business official said: “It seems that the county council knows how to start projects, it’s just not so clear on how to finish them!”
A spokesman for the council said officials knew people were frustrated about the delay in completing the projects, especially when they appeared to be almost finished, but officials were constantly monitoring the situation.
He said: “We really do hope both these projects will be completed by June and that people will like what they see in the end.”
