A Suffolk coastal town has seen disruption at the start of the school holidays after emergency repairs closed a major access route to the seafront.

The closure is affecting Victoria Road in Aldeburgh between Church Walk and High Street – the main gateway to the town centre – and is expected to last four days.

It follows flash floods in the town a fortnight ago, which caused the drainage system to collapse and a large hole to appear in the road.

Town clerk Ruth Proctor said there had been complaints about the closure but added that the work was necessary and it was preferable to have the problem sorted rather than face weeks of temporary traffic lights.

However one resident, who asked not to be named, said the closure had resulted in a bus becoming trapped after it arrived at the seafront before the roadworks got underway, earlier today, and was unable to leave. The bus was said to have waited “all morning” until police could guide it around the work taking place.

“There was no prior warning of this work at all and that is inexcusable,” the resident added.

“People had to get off the bus coming into Aldeburgh at the library in Saxmundham Road and walk to the seafront and the shops. I missed an appointment and I am sure many others were late for work. The businesses in the town cannot be happy about the situation.”

Sally Ogden, chairman of the Aldeburgh Business Association, said there had been some concern about signposting but that had been resolved.

“The message from us is that Aldeburgh is still very much open for business and we would welcome any visitors,” she added.

Mrs Ogden said it was better to have the roadworks fixed now than cause problems for the carnival or Tour of Britain.

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council, which is leading the repairs, said: “Highways teams have been made aware of a collapsed rainwater drain in Victoria Road. An emergency road closure has been put in place to make the area safe whilst repairs are carried out and a diversion route is in place. Crews are working to reopen the road as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience and would like to thank residents for bringing this matter to our attention.”