Work to rebuild the Tower Ramparts bus station in Ipswich has started – as reconstruction of the town’s other terminus continues.

Both town centre bus stations are now out of action – although county council chiefs insist they will be back in action for the start of the Christmas shopping season in the middle of November.

Diggers and demolition teams moved on to Tower Ramparts yesterday morning as buses that normally use the station were scattered to other parts of the town centre.

Information assistants were on hand to direct passengers to their temporary bus stops – although some passengers who had to walk to Civic Drive or Upper Brook Street found it quite a long walk.

A spokesman for the county council said officials had been monitoring the buses closely, and had made changes when necessary.

He said: “We’ve had marshals on site from 9am to 6pm today, in addition to staff from Ipswich Buses helping to direct passengers to the temporary stops.

“During the day, the decision was taken to move the 9 and 10 services to the coach lay-by at Crown House to avoid congestion. This move is being signposted so that passengers know where to go.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and make any necessary improvements to the temporary arrangements.”

Meanwhile work is continuing at the Old Cattle Market Bus Station, which has taken much longer than anticipated because contractors discovered services were much closer to the surface than thought.

Work there is due to be completed by mid October, and the Tower Ramparts bus station is due to be finished by November 15, in time for the town’s Christmas lights switch-on.