It has recently been reported that the A47 improvements may not be completed until 2023. Mr Oluwole Odetola, the Highways England Manager, in charge of the A47 projects outlined that there are planning hurdles and environmental and design works that will take time and that actual construction will not commence until 2020, and will take approximately two to three years to complete.
He also advised that it has not yet been decided whether the single lane sections to be dualled, between North Tuddenham and Easton, and Blofield and North Burlingham, should be completely new road constructions, or whether an extra lane should be added to the existing carriageway.
Highways England possible timeline for the improvement works would look like:
2015
Feasibility studies to be carried out, including surveys and development options. These will be in conjunction with local authorities and ‘stakeholders’ along the route.
2016
By the end of 2016 Highways England is aiming to hold public consultations on the options for the proposed routes.
2017
Beginning of 2017 it is hoped that the routes will be announced.
2020
It is hoped that construction work will commence. This cannot happen until the design has been finalised and contractors appointed.
2023
If work commences in 2020, it is expected that construction will take no more than three years to complete.
Commenting on the time scales, Mr Odetola said:
“The five years is currently the timescale we have, I know it does seem long but there are reasons. Major plans, which impact on the surrounding community and environment, would have to go to the Planning Inspectorate. That is a major hurdle and it would take some time to prepare for it and examine it. These route questions require traffic modelling, route assessments and engineering assessments. Road building is a hugely complex task, so there is a certain amount of time you need to prepare for this assessment and design.”
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:
“Dualling these sections of the A47 is vital to economic growth for Norfolk’s businesses and residents. Norfolk Chamber, together with the A47 Alliance, and the local business community will continue to lobby hard for the improvements to the A47 to be delivered as soon as possible.”
