Concerns have been raised over how a new set of roadworks in Nacton Road lasting almost five weeks will impact Christmas shopping in Ipswich town centre.
There were reports of “standstill” traffic in the evening rush hour around Nacton Road yesterday as a new set of roadworks to improve traffic flow began. The work is detailed below.
Labour’s transport spokesman Sandra Gage said: “There are a number of roadworks taking place in and around the town, causing delays. We are in principle in support of the Nacton Road work, which will help traffic flow when complete.
“However, putting in these roadworks just before Christmas is totally unacceptable – on Nacton Road at the A14 interchange, running until December 21, is outrageous. I will be asking the highways team ‘what on earth were you thinking?’
“Now is not the time to do this work on such a busy junction and key road getting into the town. It should be done outside of the Christmas period. It will impact shops and businesses. There will be massive queues. It is disappointing that it has been agreed to carry out this work now.”
She said she hoped that Christmas shoppers would not be deterred from visiting the town centre, saying: “I hope they won’t be put off. We have a fantastic shopping offer in the town centre. I hope people will do their upmost to avoid these roadworks and come in.”
A1189 Nacton Road, Ipswich
Date: November 20 until December 21.
Junction approach widening is being carried out from The Havens to the Nacton Road roundabout, to create a third lane and increase capacity, including signing and lining improvements. The works will increase the vehicle capacity at the junction.
The road remains open. The Havens has been reduced from two lanes to one and the outer lane of the Nacton Road roundabout will be closed. A 30mph speed limit is in place for the duration.
The work is being carried out between 7.30am and 4pm each day.
One motorist told this newspaper yesterday evening at around 6pm: “The Havens Estate Ipswich tonight is at a complete standstill due to day one of five weeks of roadworks. It is going to be a long, long five weeks.
“The traffic from Havens heading to the affected roundabout was all the way back to past Macro and round the corner near to the test centre.”
Paul West, cabinet member for Ipswich at SCC, said: “We have scheduled the works to coincide with Highways England works to minimise disruption and to ensure that works are completed before Christmas.
“While there will be unavoidable disruption, the benefits of this additional lane will improve journeys.”
Landseer Road, Ipswich
Date: October 30 until December 8
Traffic signal upgrades, junction improvements and footpath resurfacing. The work is part of a programme of improvements to reduce congestion by increasing capacity.
Clapgate Lane has been closed between Cotman Road and Landseer Road. Temporary traffic signals are also in place at the Clapgate Lane and Landseer Road junction.
The work is being carried out between 9.30am and 4.30pm each day and are on schedule to finish on time.
This work is part of a £5m package of road improvement works.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here