A road closure that had sparked fears of traffic chaos during the summer in a Suffolk resort town has been moved back to the autumn.

A spokesperson for Suffolk County Council has confirmed that the closure of the busy Candlet Road in Felixstowe would no longer be taking place between May and July, as originally planned, but would instead happen during an eight-week period from September to November.

Over the weekend, this newspaper reported how Felixstowe town councillor Steve Wiles posted on social media site Facebook that he had been "informed" the timings of the road closure had been changed.

READ MORE: Candlet Road in Felixstowe closure put back to September

In March, Felixstowe mayor Seamus Bennett described the original closure plan as "awful" and feared there would be congestion as tourists arrived for the summer.

The closure dates were also close to the school May half-term break and the Suffolk Show, he said.

The closure is needed to create a roundabout which will serve a Bloor Homes development of 368 homes and will act as an entrance to the 2,000-home North Felixstowe Garden Neighbourhood.

READ MORE: Candlet Road in Felixstowe is set to close for eight weeks

A spokesperson for Suffolk Highways said: "To support the Bloor Homes development, an advisory 30mph speed limit will be in place from today (April 15) until May 19 while work is completed off the highway.

"The road will then be closed between September 9 and November 10 to construct the new roundabout, avoiding the summer holidays."

READ MORE: Felixstowe news

During the closure, traffic will have to use alternative routes, potentially along the Dock Spur road and Langer Road or through the Trimley villages.

Although the county council's highways department facilitates the works, the plans were approved as part of planning permission for the development by East Suffolk Council.