Ministers approve long-delayed A47 redevelopment
The A47/A11 Thickthorn Junction in Norwich will be redeveloped
Ministers have today approved plans to redevelop the A47/A11 Thickthorn Junction in Norwich.
Backed by over £200 million, the Government says this scheme will significantly speed up journey times, reduce pressure on the junction and save commuters, businesses and freight hundreds of hours off journeys each week.
It's long been delayed due to concerns campaigners had raised about the environmental impact of the scheme.
Once the redevelopment's complete, on the eastbound A11 to A47, drivers will save 3 to 4 minutes off journeys in the morning and afternoon travel peaks.
Along the A11, the route will also shave off 2 to 3 minutes in the morning and afternoon peaks.
The Department for Transport says the scheme is supporting the Greater Norwich City Deal, attracting more businesses to operate in Norwich.
It's also expected to create over 44,000 homes, 33,000 new jobs and 360 additional hectares of new commercial land by 2038.
Today’s announcement follows the Prime Minister’s commitment to “clear the path to get Britain building” by overhauling rules that allow vital infrastructure projects including the A47 to be challenged in courts three times.
The Government says this caused years of delays, cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds, and has so far 'prevented areas like Norwich from unlocking its full potential'.
"We are determined to get Britain building again"
To mark this milestone, the Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood has visited the A47 to mark the approval of the scheme and understand its impact on the local economy.
The Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: “This scheme is finally getting to go-ahead it deserves, after years of expensive legal blocks, as we are now able to unlock this vital scheme that Norwich has waited long for.
"We are determined to get Britain building again as this scheme is set to not only improve journeys but create thousands of new homes and jobs.
“To help deliver our Plan for Change, we’re investing in more vital road schemes such as this over £200m funding for Norwich, and the recently announced £90 million for other schemes across England, to renew our national infrastructure, speed up journeys and revive economic growth.”
More about the plans
The DfT says the upgraded junction will improve links between Norwich and Peterborough, expanding job opportunities and better connecting communities, and is also a key route to Norwich University Hospital.
The new design will also improve safety, with rerouted traffic and safer pedestrian and cycle routes, projected to save as many as 26 fatal or serious injury collisions over the next 60 years.
The plans include the construction of two new free-flowing slip roads that will connect the A47 with the A11, re-routing traffic away from the junction and flowing it under new underpasses.
Nicola Bell, Executive Director of Major Projects at National Highways said:
“Getting the green light to improve the junction at Thickthorn is great news for local people and those who regularly work or travel in and around Norwich.
“This will help support economic growth in the area, significantly reduce congestion, improve journey times, and make the road safer.”
" A persistent bottleneck"
Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways infrastructure and transport, Norfolk County Council, said: "We're thrilled that this long-anticipated project has received approval. Thickthorn Junction has been a persistent bottleneck, and we've been pushing for these improvements for a number of years.
"This scheme will unlock significant economic growth, helping to supercharge the vital connection between the A11 and the nationally significant businesses who have found a home in Norfolk. Norfolk residents will benefit from safer and more reliable journeys as they make their way to Norwich and beyond.”
Nova Fairbank, Chief Executive, Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Norfolk business community has long campaigned for improvements to the whole of the A47, our main route from east to west and a key part of this route is the Thickthorn Junction, which connects the A11 to the A47.
"As a result, they welcome the allocation of much needed funding for the Thickthorn Junction scheme. Businesses are looking forward to seeing safety improvements and the reduction of congestion and journey times.
"The ability to deliver further housing, jobs and new commercial opportunities, as a result of this junction upgrade, will make a significant difference. This infrastructure investment will give more businesses confidence to invest in their own growth and thus help unlock wider economic growth for our region.”