Ongoing Improvement Schemes

What will we be doing?

These works form part of a wider active travel scheme to make it easier for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle into and around Ipswich town centre.

As part of the works on Upper Brook Street, we will be:

• Reconstructing the current footpath and carriageway for the safety of road users and pedestrians
• Constructing new areas of footpath to improve pedestrian access
• Relocating the current parking, loading, disabled bays and bus stop to facilitate new areas of footpath
• Associated works, such as drainage signage and road markings

Where will we be doing it?

Upper Brook Street, Ipswich

What are the dates and times of the works?

These works are programmed to take place between 8am and 5pm from Monday 18 August until Friday 3 October. There will be no weekend working, including over the bank holiday weekend, and the road will be opened for use at these times. 

Please note that while we make every effort to adhere to this programme, there may be times when we need to adjust the dates to allow for bad weather or other delays beyond our control. If we need to make major changes to our work dates, we will update the information signs on site, our social media channels and issues a further update via email accordingly.

What traffic management will be in place?

To reduce the impact of the works, they will be completed in three phases, beginning at the junction with Dogs Head Street and Tacket Street and progressing northbound. A range of traffic management will be in place for each phase:

Road Closure

For most of the duration of the works, the road will be closed for the safety of road users and our operatives. During the closure, traffic will be diverted via Tacket Street, Orwell Place, Upper Orwell Street, St Margaret's Street and no vice versa.

Reopening the road when possible

There will be periods of time when the works are undertaken solely on the footpaths, and the road will be open for use.

Suspension of parking, loading and disabled bays

Parking, loading and disabled bays will be suspended for the full duration of works.

Pedestrian and cyclist impact

Pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained at all times, with works areas barriered off for the protection of members of the public.

While we endeavour to adhere to these arrangements throughout the course of works, there will be very short periods where access to the cycle lane and footpath is obstructed. During these times, our barriers will be adjusted for the safety of members of the public, and alternative access arrangements will be clearly indicated.

What is the diversion route?

During the closure, traffic will be diverted via Tacket Street, Orwell Place, Upper Orwell Street, St Margaret's Street and no vice versa.

What will we be doing?

We will be carrying our bridge strengthening works along Mill Street, Nayland between Monday 1 September and Tuesday 30 September 2025.

These works follow previous investigation and surveying works carried our by Suffolk Highways during September 2023 and involve strengthening the eastern section of the bridge that supports the road and verge immediately in front of The Mill building. We will be working on a section of the bridge beneath the footpath, within the river.

Where will we be doing it?

Mill Street will be closed between Bear Street and Church Lane at all times to ensure the safety of highway users and our operatives. 

What are the dates and times of the works?

We will be carrying our bridge strengthening works along Mill Street, Nayland between Monday 1 September and Tuesday 30 September 2025. 

As we plan roadworks in advance, we schedule extra days to allow for bad weather or other delays beyond our control. If we need to make major changes to our work dates, we will update the information signs on site and our social media channels accordingly. 

What traffic management will be in place?

Mill Street will be closed between Bear Street and Church Lane at all times to ensure the safety of highway users and our operatives. 

To enable us to carry out the works as planned, we ask that local road users please move their vehicles from the area highlighted by 'no parking' cones. We have also contacted those residents most impacted by the works to advise individual arrangements regarding parking and access. 

What is the diversion route?

For the duration of the closure, traffic will be diverted via High Street, Horkesley Road, A134, Bear Street and vice versa. 

What will we be doing?

The scheme aims to improve the structure and extend the longevity of the carriageway between Farthing Drove and the Shippea Hill railway station. It will involve excavating the current road surface, reinforcing the area beneath and then installing a new road surface on top. 

Where will we be doing it?

A1101 Burnt Fen Turnpike, Beck Row

What are the dates and times of the works?

Monday 15 September and Sunday 28 September 2025. 

As we plan roadworks in advance, we schedule extra days to allow for bad weather or other delays beyond our control. If we need to make major changes to our work dates, we will update the information signs on site and our social media channels accordingly. 

What traffic management will be in place?

The road will be closed at all times to ensure the safety of highway users and our operatives. 

What is the diversion route?

For the duration of the closure, traffic will be diverted via A1065, A134, A1122, A10 and vice versa. 

What will we be doing?

We will be carrying out bridge repair works on Rod Bridge.

Where will we be doing it?

Rod Bridge, connecting Borley Road and Halstead Road in Long Melford.

What are the dates and times of the works?

Monday 15 September until Monday 22 September 2025. The works are programmes to take place between 7:30am and 5pm. 

As we plan roadworks in advance, we schedule extra days to allow for bad weather or other delays beyond our control. If we need to make major changes to our work dates, we will update the information signs on site and our social media channels accordingly. 

What traffic management will be in place?

Borley Road and Halstead Road will be closed from the junction with Sudbury Road to the junction with Lower Road to ensure the safety of highway users and our operatives. 

What is the diversion route?

During this time, traffic will be diverted via Sudbury Road, B1064, A134, A1092, The Street, Lower Road and 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.