A major west Suffolk road is expected to reopen this week after being closed since the start of the year.

The A143 Compiegne Way in Bury St Edmunds has been shut since Sunday, December 31 after it became impassable due to flooding. 

The road was expected to reopen today (January 15) but it has been delayed after some vandalism to a water storage tank which has had to be repaired. 

READ MORE: Anger as major Suffolk route remains closed after flooding

Suffolk Highways has confirmed that 18,000 gallons of water has been removed already from the road with three quarters of the road still flooded. 

A spokesman for Suffolk Highways said: "All the water needs to be gone before our contractor starts clearing the silt from the pumping system. 

"There is damage to the surface of the road, so once this work is complete we will have the road defects repaired ahead of reopening the road.

"Due to the sheer amount of water, silt and debris there is to be removed and the need for road repairs, the road will not be able to be reopened Monday as hoped and will need to remain closed until later in the week."

Suffolk Highways estimates there is still between 80 to 100 tonnes of silt that needs to be taken away. 

The authority has apologised for the ongoing inconvenience and will provide further updates in due course.