A start date has been revealed for the long-awaited link connecting two busy Ipswich roads in the west of the town.

Suffolk Highways will commence work on the Europa Way and Bramford Road link road on Monday, September 9, it can be revealed.

Plans were submitted for the road in September 2022 to help alleviate traffic issues and make it easier to access the A14.

These plans were approved in February 2023, but work was delayed due to standard procedures that must be followed.

Where the work is set to startWhere the work is set to start (Image: Google Maps)

Residents and councillors in the area were concerned over the delay in getting the work started, with spring this year being the latest scheduled start date, which didn't happen.

Now, Suffolk Highways has said it will start work on the road next month.

The work will last seven months and is due to finish in late April 2025.

The road will consist of a two-way single lane link road as an extension of Europa Way, and a mini roundabout will be created on Bramford Road to form a new junction.

There will also be a shared footway and cycleway facility on the road connecting Bramford Road to Europa Way.

Traffic in the area on Bramford RoadTraffic in the area on Bramford Road (Image: Charles Whitfield King)

The work is due to be carried out in six separate phases, with there being temporary two-way traffic lights present throughout the majority of the work.

To facilitate these, temporary traffic restrictions will be placed alongside Bramford Road.

A full road closure will also be implemented on Bramford Road for a short period of time towards the end of the works, anticipated to happen in early 2025.

Suffolk Highways stated on its website that the new link road will "improve the transport network's reliability and reduce congestion by improving journey times and reducing some pressure from nearby junctions.

It added: "It will also improve the safety of the existing highways network.

"The link road will also provide new transport link options for buses, pedestrians and cyclists, enabling better accessibility and connectivity in the area."

Where the work is set to take placeWhere the work is set to take place (Image: Charles Whitfield King)