The A47 will be closed at Postwick, at the eastern end of Norwich Southern Bypass, on at least three weekends to allow eight 114-metre bridge beams to be lifted into place. The provisional dates have now been confirmed, but it is hoped thatthe final (fourth) weekend closure will not be necessary. Warning signs about the closures are in the process of being placed as far away as Newmarket bypass and King’s Lynn to give motorists a chance to plan ahead and change their route.
Traffic will be diverted around the slip roads and new business park access roads, so motorists are warned to use another route if possible, or to be prepared for significant delays.
Eastbound (towards Great Yarmouth) A47 traffic will be diverted on to the new access roads that will serve the expanded Broadland Business Park and new Broadland Gate business areas. This route will include five roundabouts before traffic rejoins the A47. Temporary traffic lights may be used to assist traffic flow.
Westbound (towards Dereham and King’s Lynn) A47 traffic will have a shorter diversion, but this will pass through works on the new Oaks Lane roundabout and the major junction at the southern end of the existing and new (under construction) bridges over the A47.
Westbound traffic will be particularly disrupted on the second weekend. On this weekend thebridgebeams cannot be lifted by crane from the compound and will have to be transported on to the A47 itself. Each movement will cause delays of up to 20 minutes on the westbound diversion route.
Weekend One – 17 to 20 April Westbound carriageway to close at 8pm on Friday 17 April. Eastbound carriageway to close after football traffic has cleared (about 11pm). Road to reopen no later than 6am Monday 20 April.
Weekend Two – 24 to 27 April Closure of both carriageways at 8pm Friday 24 April. There will be off-peak delays on the westbound diversion route while beams are moved from the site compound on to the A47 itself. Road to reopen no later than 6am Monday 27 April.
Early May Bank Holiday weekend No closure on the Bank Holiday weekend, which includes the Norwich City home match against Fulham on 2 May.
Weekend Three – 8 to 11 May Closure of both carriageways at 8pm Friday 8 May. Road to reopen no later than 6am Monday 11 May.
Weekend Four – 15 to 18 May This weekend closure may be necessary depending upon progress. The decision on whether or not this closure will be used will be publicised as soon as possible.
On all weekends, the A47 will be reopened earlier whenever possible. In addition to the weekend closures, a number of overnight A47 closures will be required over the summer.
Local Diversions As well as the main A47 diversions, there will be a number of local diversions because of restrictions imposed to ease the flow of divertedA47 traffic.
The existing bridge carrying the A1042over the A47 will be closed southbound. Tocross the A47, traffic to Postwick villagewill be diverted along the A47 to the Cucumber Lane roundabout.
This bridge may also be closed northbound, if this is necessary to ease congestion on the main diversion route. If this happens, to cross the A47 local traffic will be diverted along the A47 to the Trowse junction. Local buses, cyclists and pedestrians will be escorted through theA1042 bridge closure.
On Broadland Business Park, Peachman Way will be closed at the roundabout with Broadland Way. Business park traffic will have to use Cranley Road and Broadland Way instead.
Postwick Park & Ride Postwick Park & Ride site will remain closed on A47 closure weekends to reduce pressure on the diversion routes, and because reliable running of the buses will sometimes be impossible to achieve. The nearest alternative site is Harford at the A47/A140 junction.
A larger map is attached and further updates will be posted onNorfolk County Council’s website atwww.norfolk.gov.uk/postwickand willbe publicised on social media and throughfurther public information notices.
