THREE weeks of traffic congestion has begun for drivers in part of Bury St Edmunds.

Yesterday, National Grid started a three-week improvement scheme to replace ageing iron mains with plastic pipes in Rougham Road.

One driver described the congestion as “horrendous”.

Traffic was reported to be queuing both ways between the A1302 Cullum Road and A14 Bury East junction.

A spokesman for National Grid said: “To ensure the quick and efficient completion of this three-week improvement scheme, National Grid is manually operating a two-way traffic lights system. This system will be in operation daily, between 7.30am and 7.30pm, on the A134 [Rougham Road] outside Bury St Edmunds Garden Centre to allow engineers to safely connect new gas mains to the existing system.

“This will support our aim of keeping any possible disruption to residents, businesses and motorists to an absolute minimum.

“The project is due to finish on April 23 and involves replacing 25 metres of ageing iron mains in Rougham Road with new plastic pipes.

“These new pipes have a lifespan of around 80 years and require very little maintenance.”

Councillor Robert Everitt, cabinet member for Bury St Edmunds on St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said: “There is going to be no good time when these major road works have to be done.

“All we can do is make sure it’s done in the quieter periods, which is half-term, and just grin and bear it.”

He added: “I would far sooner we had a replacement main than an explosion because the main’s not up to standard.”

Work has already taken place in parts of Bury town centre to replace old metal gas mains.