New Temporary Road Opens as £250m A47 Upgrade Progresses

A newly constructed road will open to traffic this week as work continues on the £250 million upgrade of the A47.

The major improvement scheme, being delivered by National Highways, is transforming the stretch between North Tuddenham and Easton into a dual carriageway. The A47 has been closed over the weekend to allow contractors to carry out key changes safely.

When the route reopens at 6am on Monday, 16 February, vehicles will be diverted onto a purpose-built temporary road. This will enable construction teams to continue work on the main carriageway while keeping traffic flowing through the area.

As part of the project, two new junctions are being created at Berry’s Lane and Wood Lane, and at Blind Lane and Taverham Road. The existing roundabout at Easton will also be removed as the layout is reconfigured.

Chris Griffin, project lead for National Highways, described the traffic switch as a significant step forward. He said the move will allow crews to press ahead with building the new dual carriageway, which is expected to improve safety, reduce congestion and provide better access to Norwich and surrounding areas.

Construction began in October 2024 and is scheduled for completion in 2027. Traffic studies conducted in 2019 indicated that more than 25,000 vehicles use this section of the A47 each day, underlining the importance of the upgrade.

For the duration of the works, a 40mph speed limit will remain in place to ensure the safety of both motorists and construction workers.