Ipswich flood gates maintenance work begins

Work has begun to clean up flood gates in a Suffolk town as part of a £185,000 maintenance project.

The Environment Agency is to remove the gates at Horseshoe Sluice, Yarmouth Road, and Handforth Sluice near Portman Road in Ipswich for repainting.

An "eel pass" is also to be installed in the Horseshoe Sluice to help eels move through on their way to the Sargasso Sea where they go to spawn.

The work on the gates is expected to be finished by Christmas.

Andrew Usborne from the agency said: "These works are part of the overall work involved in the Ipswich Flood Defence Management Strategy.

"While the gates are away being repainted, stop logs will be installed to maintain tidal defences at their full height."