Construction of a series of raised banks to defend the A12 from flooding will get under way next week.

East Anglian Daily Times: Portfolio holder Graham Newman with the A12 flood defence plans on show at an exhibition at Blythburgh Village Hall.Portfolio holder Graham Newman with the A12 flood defence plans on show at an exhibition at Blythburgh Village Hall. (Image: Archant)

The bunds will protect the road as it crosses the Blythburgh estuary, north of the village.

The project covers an area 650 metres long with the first part of the work – starting on Monday and finishing in July – involving construction of a new west embankment and toe ditch, followed by the installation of sheet piling with the re-grading of the east embankment.

In October landscaping and planting will be carried out.

Graham Newman, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for roads and transport, said: “The current level of the embankments provides very little flood protection for the A12 carriageway. When the road does flood, vegetation along with flood water is washed onto the road causing hazards to traffic using this very busy and strategically important route.

“The bunds will enable us to safeguard the road at the earliest possible opportunity, while giving us time to investigate any other measures that might offer added protection to the local area.”

Drivers are being warned of possible delays along the stretch while work takes place, including temporary speed restrictions.

There will be a two-way traffic signal control system used five days a week during the first two weeks of construction works.

This system will then be extended to seven days a week until the work is completed in July. During the Easter and bank holiday weekends the traffic management will be removed.

Spotters will be used to assess the traffic queues and adjust the lights accordingly during busy periods.