Motorists are being warned to expect delays with work starting to replace an existing water main.

The work, which is essential to maintaining a water quality service, will get under way on Monday, June 17, in Museum Street, Ipswich.

The main is being replaced in advance of a larger general improvement scheme that is sponsored by Suffolk County Council as part of the current Travel Ipswich project.

An Anglian Water spokesman said: “The extent and complexity of the main replacement works required the work to be phased to avoid closing too many roads at once.

“The first phase involves laying a new water main from outside 17-19 Museum Street to Princes Street.

“The work will be undertaken by May Gurney on behalf of Anglian Water and unfortunately, due to the narrowness of Museum Street and the location of the existing water mains, temporary road closures will be in force for the duration of these works.”

Phase one works are expected to last around seven weeks.

Diversions will be in place around the closures while access to properties and businesses will be maintained.

Access to the northern part of Museum Street will be via the Crown Street and High Street junction and access to properties in Elm Street, Lion Street and King Street will be via Princes Street.

Once the work is completed, Suffolk County Council’s contractor, SKANSKA, will carry out general improvement works at the Museum Street and Elm Street junction to enable it to be re-opened.

The second phase of water main replacement works will continue in Princes Street and will require Museum Street to be closed, south of its junction with Elm Street and Princes Street.

The spokesman added: “Due to the nature of the work disruption and disturbance will be inevitable, however every effort will be made to minimise inconvenience.

“You will be separately notified when your water supply is planned to be interrupted to carry out water mains and service connections.”

Visit www.travelipswich.co.uk for more details.