Miles of rope and fencing dotted with blue flags have left many Shotley peninsula residents baffled- until now.

The markings are part of an Anglian Water project to design and provide a new pipeline from Freston to Shotley Gate to help deal with new housing in Woolverstone, Chelmondiston and Shotley.

Meanwhile, ground work has also started preparing for 22 homes between Woolverstone and Freston, which will include a cycle path from Chelmondiston to Holbrook.

Anglian Water has confirmed their 15km (nine mile) infrastructure pipeline project WAT-07610, is in its infancy and were not able to provide an estimated cost, or date of completion.

An Anglian Water Spokesperson said: "We are still in the early stages of designing a replacement pipeline to supply water to Shotley Gate.

"We need to undertake further assessments along the pipeline route and will continue to engage with Babergh District Council to ensure all the necessary requirements are met."

Although much of the pipe will be laid along farmers fields there will also section put in under the B1456, with traffic delays and disruption inevitable.

As part of the Anglian Water WAT-07610 water infrastructure scheme large chunks of hedgerow along the route requires removal, including 10 sections ranging from 4m to 6m in Shotley

Once the pipeline has been installed, the hedgerow will be reinstated in the next planting season using Hawthorn Blackthorn, Field Maple, Dogwood and Dogrose.

Concerns have also been raised about the extra sewage which will result in new developments and district councillors have called on Anglian Water to be more accountable.

Babergh call on Anglian Water