Norfolk County Council is reminding motorists that the A47 will be closed in both directions at Postwick this weekend, as work to create a new bridge across the A47 continues.
Closures will begin at 8pm on Friday evening and the road will reopen no later than 6am on Monday April 27th.
When completed, the Postwick Hub scheme will increase the capacity of the A47 Postwick junction and provide access to new business and housing developments in the area.
Last weekend’s work finished ahead of schedule and the road was reopened early, but it is expected that this weekend’s work will require a full closure.
Traffic that cannot avoid this section of the A47 will be diverted as follows:
Eastbound (towards Great Yarmouth) A47 traffic heading east 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 includes 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 heading west 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.
During the weekend closures it will not be possible to cross the A47 southbound on the existing bridge to reach Church Road. Traffic wanting to head westbound out of the city will have to go via the A47 Cucumber Lane roundabout, using the main eastbound diversion.
Motorists are also being warned that the diversion route could also be delayedas new bridge beams are transported along the route in order to reach the A47. The County Council has done a large amount of work to keep residents and motorist aware of the Postwick project and warning signs about the closures are placed as far away as Newmarket bypass and King’s Lynn, to give motorists a chance to change their route.
This is the second of three weekend closures (Friday May 8 to Monday May 11 remains), with a fourth weekend (Friday May 15 to Monday May 18) in reserve in case of delays. There will be no closure on the early May bank holiday weekend.
Postwick Park & Ride will be closed on all weekend A47 closures at Postwick. The nearest alternative is Harford park and ride, at the A47 junction with the A140 Ipswich Road. Tim Ellis, Resident Engineer, Norfolk County Council, said: “We made a good start on the bridge construction last weekend and it was pleasing to be able to get the work done ahead of schedule and reopen the road early. This weekend we are lifting the northern bridge beams into place and due to the complexity involved we envisage that we will require the full Friday night to Monday morning closure. We are very grateful for the ongoing patience of motorists and residents. We’ve promoted the closures in advance, and tried to minimise the impact of the work as much as possible.”
For further information about the works and diversion routes visit www.norfolk.gov.uk
