The long wait for a pedestrian subway to be reopened in Ipswich town centre could soon be over, it has been revealed.

A request for the partial closure of the pedestrian subway at the junction where Civic Drive meets Norwich Road had been made by Suffolk County Council's highways committee in October 2023. 

The underpass barriers were removed and placed inside the entrances to prevent pedestrians using the subway.   

Now, nine months on, the county council says the railings will be reinstalled in the middle of this month. 

A county council spokesperson said: "The barriers are due to be re-installed mid-July, following approvals.

"In the meantime, we will continue to carry out inspections of the pedestrian barriers to ensure the site is kept safe."

Councillors and residentss complained that the lack of barriers left the area unkept and dangerous.Councillors and residents complained that the lack of barriers left the area unkept and dangerous. (Image: Colin Kreidewolf)

The initial request to remove the barriers was made by a private company to allow wide loads to be taken into the town centre.

However, residents and councillors raised concerns the move left the the area "unkempt and dangerous".

Suffolk Highways said that the railings were re-fabricated and designed to be moveable in April 2024. They were sent away for galvanisation before being installed. 

Pedestrians have been angered by the inconvenience and John Hicks, a local resident, said: "It has been a pain to use this subway like this.

"There is no traffic signal for walking here, cars zoom past, and so the only way to go from home to the town is to walk a long way around to where the subway is open."

Cllr Kreidewolf has been annoyed by how long this process has taken.Cllr Kreidewolf has been annoyed by how long this process has taken. (Image: Newsquest)

Colin Kreidewolf, an Ipswich borough councillor, is annoyed at how long the process has taken and the inconvenience it has caused residents in his ward. 

He added: "It is really pleasing to hear that the barriers will be restored later this month after a long delay.

"It is disappointing that SCC have had supply problems but good news to hear that work will finally be completed.

"It will improve the outlook of the area and reopen the subway entrance also."