Year-long barricades dubbed a 'dreadful eyesore'

The underpass has been closed off since last October, much to the frustration of local residents

A town centre underpass which has been barricaded off for almost a year could remain closed indefinitely, according to a council.

A metal roadside barrier close to the Tesco Express, in Civic Drive, Ipswich, had to be removed last October to allow parts of the Progress Power Station to move through the area.

But since then, a passageway allowing pedestrians access beneath the roundabout at St Matthew's Street and Civic Drive has been shut off.

Suffolk County Council had said movable barriers would be installed in July, but has now cited a need for additional mounting plates as a reason for the delay.

The underpass allows pedestrians to move safely underneath the roundabout at St Matthew's Street and Civic Drive

A council spokesperson said: "The subway railings have been re-fabricated; however, additional mounting plates are also required.

"Once the plates have been fabricated, the installation will be programmed as soon as possible."

Paul Chamberlain, 67, says the barricade is a blight on the town and could put off people visiting the area

But local residents have spoken of their concerns about the closure.

Paul Chamberlain, 67, said the barricade was unsightly and proving a blight on the town.

"What sort of message does this send out to visitors to the town, when repairs take so long to do? It doesn’t seem right somehow," he said.

"We are going to get lots of people coming into the town [after Ipswich Town’s promotion] who perhaps haven’t seen it before but then they will see this eyesore.

"It doesn’t send out a good message and I just think the whole town centre seems run down and this is something which is not helping.

"I’ve lived in Ipswich since 1979 and I now want to move out because the town looks dreadful now and the quality of what is in the town has deteriorated."

Suffolk County Council hopes so reopen the underpass "as soon as possible"

Paul Cawthorn, 76, wants to see the underpass reopened as soon as possible

Since the closure pedestrians have had to negotiate a busy road without a crossing, which is a particular concern of 76-year-old Paul Cawthorn.

"They must be cleared, because it’s dangerous if people have got to cross the road and it is a busy road - that is something that really has to be [sorted]," he said.

"We want to have pride in our town, and with tourism and more people coming here we want to welcome them and be clean and tidy."