Suffolk Highways is carrying out works on the southbound carriageway of the A12, with overnight closures in place near Friday Street from 8pm to 5am, starting Friday and running through to Monday morning. According to Suffolk County Council, the official diversion route stretches a lengthy 48 miles, significantly increasing journey times for drivers using the major route. The unusually long diversion has been put in place because it must follow A-roads suitable for larger vehicles, including HGVs, which are unable to use smaller country roads that some drivers may attempt to take as shortcuts. Motorists are being urged to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys, particularly those travelling southbound during the overnight closures. The disruption follows another recent closure earlier this month, when a section of the A12 near Melton was shut while Suffolk Highways carried out improvement works in the area.