A Sudbury street is due to be closed again for more than three weeks while drainage work is finished to help reduce the risk of flooding.

Suffolk Highways will be carrying out the drainage works in East Street from Monday, January 14, to Friday, February 8, which will see the road closed between Girling Street and Acton Lane.

Workers will be installing new drainage runs, gullies, catchpits and connections to existing Anglian Water systems.

In a letter to businesses and residents, Suffolk Highways said they had attempted to carry out the drainage improvements on East Street between October 9 and November 12, but “unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, these works could not be completed within the planned timeframe”.

Emma O’Flynn, owner of the New Era hair salon in East Street, expressed her frustration that the works were dragging on.

She said as the buses would not be able to get through, this would impact on her less mobile clients.

“Last time we had customers cancel because they weren’t able to get the transport down here or couldn’t park close enough,” she said.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Highways said during the excavation previously there were a lot more services, such as gas, in the ground than expected, as well as a lot of concrete, which had held work up.

Sudbury Town Clerk Jacqui Howells said: “I think the trouble is with all of these works they are always going to cause some disruption to traffic.

“It’s imperative the work is done. There has been a lot of flooding down that area. Our road system and drain system is very old.”

Suffolk Highways said all of the work would be carried out under a road closure, which would remain in place for the

duration of the scheme, including weekends. Access to properties and businesses will be available at all times.

Resurfacing works are also scheduled to take place during the day of February 8 along with the reinstatement of double yellow road markings.

The following diversion routes will be signed on site:

•Southbound diversion: A134 Springlands Way, A131 Melford Road and A134 Girling Street

•Northbound diversion: A134 Girling Street, A134 Newton Road and A134 Northern Road

If anyone has any questions about the work call 0345 606 6171.