Suffolk Highways and Cadent will work together on major highways and gas improvement works in Ipswich starting later this month to minimise future disruption.
The collaboration means what could have been a potential road closure of up to 30 weeks has been reduced to just eight.
The highways improvements will upgrade the junction of Cauldwell Hall Road, St John’s Road, Freehold Road and Marlborough Road, improving safety and accessibility for all road users.
The Cadent works involve replacing ageing gas mains with modern plastic pipes, helping to ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas for homes and businesses for years to come.
By aligning programmes, Cadent will carry out essential gas mains replacement works within Suffolk Highways’ road space, minimising disruption to the local community.
Councillor Christopher Hudson, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said: “By working closely with Cadent to co-ordinate these works we are reducing the overall duration of disruption and avoiding the need for multiple closures in the future.
“We are grateful to residents and road users for their patience and support as we deliver these long-term improvements.”
Eleanor Buxton, Head of Work Management at Cadent, commented: "The metallic pipes that are in place in this section of the network have been very well used over the years but it’s time for them to be replaced so that we can continue to deliver gas to peoples' homes 24/7, 365 days a year.
"Combining two major upgrades into one set of roadworks is a big step forward for how we plan our essential gas mains upgrades. We absolutely want to do more of this whenever possible as it means less digging, fewer teams on site, shorter disruption for residents and a lower overall carbon impact."
Road closures will be required for the duration of the improvement works, which are scheduled to start on Monday June 22 and complete by Tuesday August 18, at the following locations:
- Cauldwell Hall Road
- St John's Road (between Tolworth Road and Cauldwell Hall Road)
- Freehold Road (between Cauldwell Hall Road and Kemball Street)
- Marlborough Road (between Tolworth Road and Cauldwell Hall Road)
Cadent will also implement road closures between Monday June 29 and Friday July 31 on Ringham Road and Upland Road.
Access for residents and businesses will be maintained throughout the works, although there may be a short delay while works area is made safe.Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.
Although the disruption of the closure programme is acknowledged, undertaking the works under temporary traffic lights would have extended the programme significantly, potentially bringing its duration to up to 30 weeks and prolonging disruption to the local community.
Motorists are encouraged to use the official diversion route, as published on one.network, during the road closures and not seek alternative routes along unsuitable roads.
The official diversion routes are:
- Cauldwell Hall Road: via Woodbridge Road, Woodbridge Road East, Heath Road, Foxhall Road (and vice versa)
- Freehold Road: via Kemball Street and Foxhall Road (and vice versa)
- Marlborough Road: via Tolworth Road, St John’s Road, Spring Road (and vice versa)
- St John’s Road: via Spring Road (and vice versa)
The road works are being funded by Active Travel England and are part of a package of schemes between Ipswich Hospital and The Waterfront to enhance safety and accessibility, and to encourage more people to walk, cycle and wheel.
The project includes upgrades to existing infrastructure and improvements at busy junctions.
The works complement other highways improvements recently completed in the area, including on Parliament Road, Lattice Avenue and Bloomfield Street.
A public consultation held in summer 2024 informed the project, ensuring local views have shaped its final design.
Anyone wishing to find out more about the latest works can attend a public engagement event being held by Suffolk Highways and Cadent at St Johns Church Hall, 74 Cauldwell Hall Rd, Ipswich IP4 4QE, on Monday 8th June 2026 from 10:30am-12:30pm.
Further information on the Ipswich Hospital to Waterfront Scheme can be found by visiting https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e10dd978c0a9418e8aac720b40a86c26
