Drivers left facing 70-mile diversion route with major road to be closed all week

DRIVERS are reportedly facing a 70-mile diversion as it was announced that a major UK road would close all week.

A short stretch of the route, which connects London to the East coast, is being shut down in both directions for several days.

Only five miles of the road is set to be affected but it could see motorists taken hours out of their way.

The closure will affect part of the A12 in Suffolk between Blythburgh and Darsham.

To avoid the works, Brits will have to slog up to 70 miles along the A1120, A140, A143 and A145 just to loop back onto the A12 on the other side, according to the .

The road was previously shut down for resurfacing between April 27 and May 1.

Now, though, it will close from May 13 to May 17 for the new surface to be lined, road marking applied and studs put in.

The maintenance is being carried out by Suffolk Highways, which is controlled by the county council, has part of a major maintenance project.

Drivers will be unable to access the area between 8pm and 5am each day.

Thankfully for motorists, though, this is set to be the last phase of the planned repair work.

And despite the disruption, the maintenance is likely to be welcome since the A12 was voted the UK's worst road back in 2007.

A spokesperson for Suffolk County Council said: "An official diversion must take into consideration all vehicle types, including HGVs which cannot use smaller roads, hence the length of this diversion.

"The official diversion route will take drivers along the A1120, A140, A143, A145, A12 and vice versa.

"However there may be alternative routes available if in smaller vehicles."

It comes after drivers were warned of £180 fines for "ignoring" the diversion route around the rolling M25 closures, which are set to continue in the coming weeks.