Ipswich Town's Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal has prompted a pause in major roadworks. National Highways has suspended a full overnight closure of the A12 southbound to ease travel for supporters heading to Portman Road on Tuesday night.
Simon Amor, head of scheme delivery at National Highways, said the decision was made with the match in mind. "We are aware that there will be a large amount of travelling public to the match," Amor said. The works, which involve repairs to the Birchwood Road bridge between Dedham and Langham, are part of a three-week project costing £300,000.
Works to resume
The closure, which runs from the Copdock Interchange south of Ipswich to the Ardleigh Crown Interchange north of Colchester, normally operates from 21:00 to 05:00. Amor confirmed the works were "progressing well" and that the full closure would resume on Wednesday night. The pause provides a clear route for Arsenal fans travelling from London and the south, as well as home supporters from the Colchester area.
Cup focus amid league form
The cup fixture offers a distraction from league concerns for Kieran McKenna's side. Ipswich Town currently sit 14th in the Premier League with three points from their opening three games, having lost their last two matches against Liverpool and Manchester United. Their next league assignment is a trip to face 8th-placed Everton on Saturday, 19 September.
The Carabao Cup third-round tie against the reigning Premier League champions kicks off at 20:00 BST at Portman Road.
