DRIVERS will face disruption when a main route through Colchester town centre is closed for the day.

The eastbound side of Southway will be shut from 9am to 4pm on Sunday.

Motorists will instead have to navigate Headgate, St John’s Street and Stanwell Street as part of a diversion.

Essex County Council will be carrying out tree trimming before it does road resurfacing in May.

The westbound side of the road will remain open.

Shoppers will also be unable to access St John’s car park for the day during the works.

During these times, drivers won’t be able to enter the car park, however the exit will remain open as usual.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said Sunday was “by far the best day” for the work to be carried out.

They said: “This is vital work to trim tree growth along the road and enable access for the road planning and surfacing machinery we need to completely re-surface the road in May.

“We have to do this before the bird-nesting season and a Sunday is by far the best day to do this work as there is less traffic and less people who are travelling to work. We can only close the road and work between 9am and 4pm according to the permit we have, but we hope to complete work in less time.

“There will be a short signed diversion, which will be kept clear of parked cars on the day.”

Alternative parking will be available at any of Colchester Council’s other town centre car parks.

Mike Lilley, the council’s communities boss, said: “We know St John’s car park is a popular car park at weekends, so are keen to let motorists know in advance that the entrance will be unavailable from 9am until 3pm on Sunday, but the exit will remain open.

“We would encourage drivers to either arrive at the car park before 9am or after 3pm that day, or use one of our other town centre car parks, like Britannia, which has a fantastic Sunday parking offer”.

To find out about other car parks which will be open on Sunday, visit colchester.gov.uk/parking.