Ongoing Improvement Schemes

What will we be doing?

Forming part of a wider active travel scheme to make it easier for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle around Ipswich town centre, we will be: 

• Relocating the pedestrian crossing on College Street, so that it is in line with the footpath connecting St Peter's Street and Bridge Street. 
• Relocating the pedestrian crossing on Bridge Street so that it is in line with the entrance to St Peter's Dock. 
• Permanently pedestrianising the temporarily blocked off section of the road which runs adjacent to the Bridge Street roundabout. 
• Associated works, including rerouting electrical services, carriageway resurfacing and reinstatement of road markings. 

Where will we be doing it?

Bridge Street and College Street, Ipswich

What are the dates and times of the works?

Monday 22 September, continuing until Friday 28 November. This includes lane closures during the day and full road closures. 

Single Lane Closures: 

• Between Foundry Lane and the Bridge Street roundabout on alternating sides of the carriageway
  • Tuesday 30 September - Friday 17 October, between 9am and 4pm on weekdays only. 

Full Road Closures: 

• College Street: Full extent
• Key Street: From College Street to Slade Street
• Foundation Street: From Star Lane to College Street
• Foundry Lane: Full extent
• From Star Lane to Key Street
  
  • Tuesday 30 September and Wednesday 1 October, between 7pm and 5am
  • Thursday 20 November, between 7pm and 5am
  • Wednesday 26 November, between 7pm and 5am

What traffic management will be in place?

A variety of traffic management methods will be in implemented at different times along College Street and Bridge Street. This includes lane closures during the day and full road closures at night. 

To allow residents access while the closure is in place, there will be a suspension of the one-way system on College Street and Key Street, allowing road users to travel from both ends. This will be controlled by operatives at each end of the closure who will assist road users with access when required. Please note that road users may experience a short delay while the carriageway is made safe for use. 

What is the diversion route?

Westbound: Slade Street, Star Lane, Waterworks Street, Bond Street, St Helen's Street, St Margaret's Street, Crown Street, St Matthew's Street, Civic Drive, Franciscan Way, Grey Friars Road and no vice versa. 

Eastbound: Star Lane, Grimwade Street and no vice versa. 

The works are programmed to commence on Monday 29 September 2025 and, at present, we are aiming to complete them by early summer 2026.

The project will involve reconfiguring the junction, replacing the current one-way clockwise system to enable two-way traffic in all directions.

Phase One

What will we be doing?

The first phase of the works will include the establishment of our site compound and the removal of the current traffic islands. A temporary road surface will be installed on parts of the gyratory as part of this phase. Permanent traffic signals will be reconfigured and relocated to accommodate construction. This phase of works will be completed alongside Cadent’s essential gas works.

On what dates will we be working?

Phase one is scheduled to commence on Monday 29 September 2025 and will continue until Monday 13 October 2025.

At what times will we be working?

• Between 8pm and 6am.
• Please note that Cadent will be working during daytime hours, and Tollgate Lane between Mildenhall Rd and Hanover Close will be closed 24 hours a day to facilitate these works.

What traffic management will be in place?

• During our working hours (between 8pm and 6am), the gyratory will be closed approaching from all directions for the safety of highway users and our operatives. Multiple diversions will be installed to help road users continue their journeys, and these will be signposted.
• The B1106 (Thetford Road) will be closed travelling towards Bury St Edmunds only from Monday 29 September, for 24 hours per day. While this closure is in place, traffic towards Bury St Edmunds will be diverted via B1106, A134, A143 and no vice versa.
• Tollgate Lane will be closed between Hanover Close and the gyratory from Monday 29 September until Monday 13 October, for 24 hours per day. While this closure is in place, multiple diversion routes will be installed for traffic travelling from or to different directions.

Phase Two

What will we be doing?

Phase two of the works will involve widening the inner gyratory.

On what dates will we be working?

Phase two will commence once phase one is complete on Monday 13 October. We anticipate this phase of the scheme will finish in early to mid-January 2026, with a break over the Christmas period.

At what times will we be working?

These works will be carried out during the daytime.

What traffic management will be in place?

• The inner lane of the gyratory will be closed. Temporary traffic signals will also be in place.
• The B1106 (Thetford Road) will remain closed travelling towards Bury St Edmunds only from Monday 29 September, for 24 hours per day. While this closure is in place, traffic towards Bury St Edmunds will be diverted via B1106, A134, A143 and no vice versa.

Phase Three and Four

We will provide a further update detailing the third and fourth phases of the scheme, as well as the traffic management required for this, nearer the time. We will also provide another update regarding phase two before it begins.

As you may already be aware, Cadent commenced their essential gas maintenance works along Fornham Road in August 2025. While these are currently being done under temporary traffic lights, they will utilise our road closure during the first phase of the programme, with Cadent working during the day and us carrying out our works overnight. This collaboration will minimise the need for future road closures, reducing disruption to the local community and highway users.

What will we be doing?

Footway improvement works

Where will we be doing it?

Lanark Road, Ipswich

What are the dates and times of the works?

Between 8am and 5pm from Monday 6 October 2025 until Friday 23 January 2026.

There will be a break from works for the Christmas period between Friday 19 December 2025 and Monday 5 January.

What traffic management will be in place?

While we are working, a road closure will be in place for the safety of highway users and our operatives.

To reduce the impact of the works, the road closure will be carried out in phases: 

Phase 1: From Sidegate Lane to the main entrance of Rushmere Hall School

Phase 2: From the main entrance of Rushmere Hall School to Angus Close

Phase 3: From Angus Close to Renfrew Road

Phases 2 and 3 will begin upon completion of the previous phase.

Rushmere Hall School will remain accessible throughout the works, via Renfrew Road during phase 1 and via Sidegate Lane during phases 2 and 3.

What is the diversion route?

For all three phases, traffic will be diverted via Sidegate Lane, Humber Doucy Lane, Ayr Road, Renfrew Road and vice versa. Click HERE to see the diversion route. 

What will we be doing?

Carriageway resurfacing.

Where will we be doing it?

Bell Lane, Kesgrave

What are the times and dates of the works?

Between 7:30am and 6pm from Monday 27 October until Friday 31 October.

What traffic management will be in place?

While we are working, a road closure will be in place between Bell Lane (access to house numbers 14-30, The Walk and Church Close) and Foxhall Road for the safety of highway users and our operatives. 

What is the diversion route?

Bell Lane, Foxhall Road, A1189, A1214, Bell Lane and vice versa. 

What will we be doing?

Carriageway repairs in preparation for surface dressing. 

Where will we be doing it?

B1084 between Butley and Chillesford.

What are the times and dates of the works?

Between 8am and 5pm from Monday 3 November until Friday 7 November.

What traffic management will be in place?

While we are working, a road closure will be in place for the safety of highway users and our operatives. 

What is the diversion route?

B1084, A1152, B1078, B1084 and vice versa. 

What will we be doing?

Ditch clearance, gully cleansing and drainage repairs. 

Where will we be doing it?

Bullen Lane, Bramford.

What are the times and dates of the works?

Between 7:30am and 5pm from Monday 3 November to Friday 12 December. 

What traffic management will be in place?

While we are working, access for residents will be limited, and there may be short delays whilst the area is made safe. Operatives on site will assist with this when required, but please allow extra time for your journeys. 

Why weren't works completed when you were on site earlier this year?

When working on site in February, we noted the presence of badgers. Consequently, we had to delay our works while arrangements were made to gate the badger setts in the vicinity. The welfare of the badgers remains important to us, and Suffolk Wildlife will be on site at the start of these works to monitor badger activity. 

What will we be doing?

Carriageway repairs in preparation for surface dressing. 

Where will we be doing it?

Wangford Road, Lakenheath.

What are the times and dates of the works?

Between 8am and 5pm from Monday 10 November until Friday 14 November.

What traffic management will be in place?

While we are working, a road closure will be in place for the safety of highway users and our operatives. 

What is the diversion route?

B1112, Main Street, Brandon Road, Hockwold Road, Park Road, Hockwold Road, Main Road, Brandon Road, A1065 and vice versa. 

What will we be doing?

Drainage investigations and jetting. 

Where will we be doing it?

The Street, Earl Soham.

What are the times and dates of the works?

Between 8pm and 4am from Monday 10 November until Friday 28 November, including Friday night. 

What traffic management will be in place?

While we are working a road closure will be in place for the safety of highway users and our operatives. 

What is the diversion route?

B1119, B1116, B1078, B1079, B1077, A1120 and vice versa.