There are major delays on the roads across Colchester as the next stage of a controversial roadworks scheme kicks off.

From today,  Ipswich Road South, near East Street, will be closed for four weeks to enable Anglian Water to complete their water main diversion and re-connection.

As soon as that is finished, both BT works and re-building the retaining wall along the rail line can start.

The road improvements involve carriageway widening and making single instead of multi-roundabouts.

A major piling and wall-building operation will be carried out, meaning Ipswich Road South will be closed again from July 20.

The total duration for these combined road closures is anticipated to be around five months.

Drivers are already feeling the strain of the latest set of works, with long delays in the area and further afield.

Queues on Ipswich Road are stretching as far back as Highwoods and alternative routes are also experiencing delayed journey times.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette: Essex Traffic News posted this map of delays across ColchesterEssex Traffic News posted this map of delays across Colchester

READ MORE: Part of Ipswich Road to close for FIVE MONTHS