Works that will lead to significant "infrastructure upgrades" to the Outer Harbour of the Port of Lowestoft will begin this week.

Construction works, which are earmarked to be completed by the end of May next year, will start on Friday, November 17.

Associated British Ports (ABP) - the UK’s leading ports group that owns and operates the Port of Lowestoft - has notified residents and businesses who live or work within the vicinity of the Outer Harbour of the forthcoming construction works.

A spokesman for ABP said: "The works will see infrastructure upgrades to the outer harbour of the port, which will mean the port, and therefore the town, will be able to continue to grow as a thriving centre for supporting the offshore energy industry."

Lowestoft Journal: Aerial image of the Outer Harbour (circled in red) at ABP’s Port of Lowestoft. Picture: ABPAerial image of the Outer Harbour (circled in red) at ABP’s Port of Lowestoft. Picture: ABP (Image: ABP Port of Lowestoft)

McLaughlin & Harvey has been appointed as the contractor by ABP to lead on the works, which start with "piling works on site" from this Friday.

With no works scheduled to take place over the Christmas period - between Saturday, December 23 and Sunday, January 5 next year - the works are "expected to conclude by May 2024."

Tom Duit, operations manager at ABP’s Port of Lowestoft, said: "ABP is committed to keeping our community informed and are going out of our way to minimise disruption during these works.

"ABP is dedicated to executing the project with the utmost care, minimising disruption to the local environment and community, and will provide regular updates on the progress of the construction.

"We are grateful for the ongoing patience and support of the local community as we continue to play a proud role in the town’s regeneration."

The spokesman added that ABP will be providing "regular updates throughout the duration of the project."