£24.5m Gas Main Diversion Set to Unlock West Winch Access Road Project in Norfolk
- Safer Highways
- Feb 22
- 2 min read
Two major gas mains are set to be relocated at a cost of £24.5m to allow construction of the long-planned West Winch Access Road in Norfolk to move forward.
The new road, designed to ease congestion by linking with the A47 and A11 south of King’s Lynn, has been delayed due to the presence of high-pressure underground gas pipelines.
The diversions have significantly increased costs for the overall £109m infrastructure scheme, which is considered essential ahead of plans to deliver 4,000 new homes in the area.
Initial cost estimates from National Gas Transmission doubled after a revised assessment in 2024. However, the company has now confirmed that the £24.5m figure quoted last autumn represents the upper limit of the expected cost.
Funding supportThe majority of the additional expense is expected to be covered by Homes England, with officials preparing to finalise a funding agreement. Norfolk County Council says it will continue to explore ways to reduce overall costs where possible.
Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure at Norfolk County Council, said the confirmation of the revised cost provided enough certainty to proceed.
He said:
“It was vital to get this issue resolved as quickly as possible to avoid potentially lengthy and costly delays. Now that we’ve got this outcome, and with planning approval secured late last year, we’re in a good position to move this important infrastructure project for west Norfolk forward.”
Cabinet members are due to meet on 2 March to consider formally approving the pipe realignment. If agreed, work to move the gas mains could begin in the spring and be completed by early next year, clearing the way for construction of the new access road.
The West Winch Access Road – also referred to as the WWHAR Access Road – is seen as a key piece of infrastructure to unlock housing growth and improve traffic flow in west Norfolk.
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