The Bascule Bridge in Lowestoft will be closed overnight for four weeks next month while improvement works are carried out.

From Tuesday, April 7 the bridge will be closed for 18 nights between 8pm and 6am, Sunday to Thursday while repairs on the bridge's lifting mechanism are carried out.

Highways Agency Asset Development Manager Brian Pitkin said: 'We have planned the works to begin in April, during the spring, to avoid disrupting busy seasons and the works will take place overnight Sunday to Thursday, again, to minimise disruption to Lowestoft.

'We have been liaising with lifting bridge specialists to ensure we have their expertise when planning the work with our contractors. The works are extremely technical and the Bascule chambers are a difficult area to work in.

'The work is being carried out now to help to prevent future unplanned closures of the bridge.

'We have informed local businesses and residents who are affected by these closures to ensure they're aware of the works and we are providing a bus service for pedestrians during the closures.'

National traffic travelling northbound will be diverted to the A1117 Bloodmoor Road, at the A12/A1117 Bloodmoor Road Roundabout continuing on the A1117 (Bloodmoor Road, Elmtree Road, Cotmer Road) to its junction with the A146 Bridge Road, turn left onto the A1117 Bridge Road, continue on the A1117 (Normanston Drive, Millennium Way, Bentley Drive) to re-join the A12 Yarmouth Road and vice versa for southbound traffic.

Local traffic travelling northbound will be diverted off the A12 London Road onto the A146 Pier Terrace continuing along Horn Hill, Waveney Drive and Victoria Road, turn right to join the A1117 and cross the bridge, continue to follow the A1117 Normanston Drive and St Peters Street to the roundabout with Katwijk Way, turn left to join the A12 Artillery Way at the next roundabout and vice versa for southbound traffic.