The new Secretary of State for Transport approved a multi-million-pound plan to overhaul Thickthorn junction on the outskirts of Norwich.
The redevelopment will see two free-flowing connections between the A47 and the A11 as well as additional lanes and pedestrian crossings. A new half-mile link road, with a 40mph limit, will also be built providing direct access to the junction from Cantley Lane South and Norwich Road (B1172).
A new footbridge over the A47 will also be put in place around 45m to the east of the current bridge, which will be removed. The new bridge has been specifically designed to have higher railings for increased safety, particularly for horse riders.
These changes form part of a commitment from National Highways to improving safety and reducing congestion on the A47 – currently one of the country’s most dangerous A roads.
National Highways’ £161 million scheme was approved by the Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP with the granting of a development consent order (DCO). This is a way of obtaining permission for a development which is seen as nationally important for the infrastructure of the country.
Traffic modelling data shows the section of the A47 between Thickthorn junction and the Ipswich Road junction is used by over 60,000 vehicles each day – making it one of the busiest stretches of the road in Norfolk.
The current A47 has one of the highest recorded accident rates for an A road in the UK.
Following the redevelopment of the junction, casualty projections over the next 60 years suggest that as many as 26 fatal or serious injury collisions could be prevented with 242 fewer accidents.
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New design: Plans to improve the junction have been given the go-ahead by the Government
The granting of the DCO means preparatory work on the project can begin later this year with construction due to begin in early 2023.
An earlier decision on the DCO for Thickthorn junction was postponed in September following the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
This scheme is one of six major improvements and almost half a billion pounds of investment National Highways is making to the 115-mile section of the A47 between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth.
The first of these – a £17 million upgrade to Guyhirn junction in Cambridgeshire – officially opened in May.
Chris Griffin, Programme Leader for National Highways in the East Region, said:
“Getting the green light for our plans to improve the junction at Thickthorn is great news for local people and those who regularly work or travel in and around Norwich.
“Anyone who knows the area will also know how busy the junction can be and I am confident our work will significantly reduce congestion, improve journey times and, most importantly, make the road safer.
“As we now move towards the construction stage this serves as a further example of National Highways’ commitment to upgrading the A47 between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth. Our plans include the development of six major road improvement projects worth almost half a billion pounds of investment.
“In reaching this milestone, I would like to acknowledge and thank all those whose hard work has driven this scheme from an initial plan through to the start of construction.”
The redeveloped Thickthorn junction should be fully open to traffic by early 2025.
“Increasing road capacity and connecting communities across the east of England will pave the way for economic growth in this part of the country,” added Mr Griffin.
Further improvements include:
Widening the southern section of the roundabout from three lanes to four
Improved traffic lights on the approach to/from the junction with Norwich Road (B1172)
New road surface, new road signs and road markings throughout the junction
Removal of the Cantley Lane South direct connections between the A11 and A47 exit slip roads
Paths for walking and cycling along the new Cantley Lane link road giving access to local amenities and connections to other recreational routes as well as the park & ride site
A 30mph speed limit on Cantley Lane South
New junction connecting Cantley Lane South to Cantley Lane link road
Existing Cantley Lane stream and access track will be realigned with the addition of a new stream culvert
A series of public events are taking place across the local area where people can find out more about National Highways' work to improve the A47.
The next event is Thursday 20 October at Hockering Village Hall in Dereham (NR20 3HT).
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