Unexpectedly wet weather since Wednesday prevented the opening of the new bridge over the A47 at Postwick last night (Thurs-Fri).
Surfacing the new bridge was halted by persistent and sometimes heavy rain on Wednesday. The asphalt surface will not bind to the base layers if they are wet. It had been hoped to catch up yesterday (Thurs 15 Oct), but this was not possible and last night it was decided that it would not be safe to open the new bridge as planned this morning (Fri).
Instead, the old bridge across the A47 was kept open as the route towards Broadland Business Park, Thorpe St Andrew and east Norwich for traffic from the Acle and Great Yarmouth direction, and as the route to Postwick village.
Work on the new bridge will resume as soon as the weather allows. The aim is to open the new bridge, and close the old, overnight tonight (Fri) if possible. Traffic would then start using the new bridge tomorrow morning (Sat). Thiswill only happen if it is safe to do so.
Drivers are asked to pay particular attention to direction signs through the junction during this change-over phase. Norfolk County Council is sorry for last night’s late change of plan, which was for reasons beyond our control and in the interests of road safety.
Further information on the Postwick junction, including the new temporary traffic flows, the safety reasons for the junction layout and final routes for traffic,is available on Norfolk County Council’s website: www.norfolk.gov.uk.
