IPSWICH: Dismayed market traders will face another day of mayhem today as roadworks in the town centre continue to cause chaos.

At the start of the year a burst water main near the junction of Tavern Street and Tower Street led to one store flooding, and others being forced to close for 24 hours.

About 30 shops in the area shut their doors after the water pipe burst at about 4am on January 13.

Temporary work was carried out at the time to patch up the road, after the force of the water tore the concrete apart.

But last week workers moved in, closing a section of Tavern Street, from the Body Shop to MacDonalds to under- take more permanent repairs, to restore the paving.

The closure has left traders facing a “nightmare” as they attempt to set up and pack away on market days.

Ipswich market manager Warren O’Connell said the closure has led to vans and articulated lorries performing “dangerous” reversing manoeuvres.

“All the traffic is having to come up Princes Street,” he said. “And it is leading to articulated lorries having to reverse down past Carphone Warehouse.

“It is a real pain. I know the work has to be done but surely they could have got a bigger team in there to get it done quicker.”

He said, although the work is not affecting trade, it is causing real problems, with vehicles being forced to make deliveries in the pedestrian areas after the 10.30am deadline.

“It is just very frustrating. We are all looking forward to the work finally being completed.”

A spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council said the work is being carried out by Anglian Water.

Antony Innes, spokesman for the water company said the work is on track to finish on time, tomorrow.

Mr Innes said: “We apologise for any frustration being caused while we restore Tavern Street, following a burst main.

“Whenever repair work is completed we will always return the road to its original state.

“The works were planned to be completed tomorrow and are on schedule.”

n Have you been affected by the road closure? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.