Main construction work is underway on the new bypass for Long Stratton, after Norfolk County Council won approval of the full business case from government.
Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport at Norfolk County Council, said, āThis is fantastic news for long-suffering commuters and residents in Long Stratton, and will provide an economic boost to our whole region.
āOur advance works have been progressing well and this final confirmation by government enables us to now deliver this vital new infrastructure without delayā.
āThe bypass is set to create hundreds of new jobs and homes, open up improvements for cycling and walking, and solve transport issues local people have been facing for more than a generation.ā
Cllr Alison Thomas, county councillor for Long Stratton, added, āHaving campaigned for a bypass for Long Stratton since 1996, I am delighted to see the main works get underway.
āOur role now will be to ensure the project is delivered as soon as possible to improve the safety and well-being of all those living, working or travelling through Long Stratton.ā
Cllr Kay Mason Billig, current chair of the Greater Norwich Growth Board and leader of Norfolk County Council, said, āThis project is a great example of how partners and neighbouring authorities can join together for the collective benefit of their residents to achieve much wider shared economic aims.ā
Construction of the road is expected to take 18 months, with the road anticipated to open by the end of 2025. The work is being undertaken by Octavius Infrastructure Limited who were appointed as main contractor in January 2024.
Gavin Pritchard, Managing Director Highways at Octavius Infrastructure, said, ā As we enter the next phase of the project, there will a hive of activity on-site in the weeks ahead. We look forward to progressing the project and continuing to work closely with our key stakeholders and the local community to keep disruption to a minimum whilst we deliver lasting benefits to the travelling public.ā
The proposed new A140 bypass will be a single carriageway road that will provide a new roundabout junction at Church Lane to the north, extending from this junction on the east side of Long Stratton going south for approximately 3.9km, where it will re-join the existing A140 near Oakside farm.
The current estimated overall cost of the bypass is approx. Ā£46.9m with funding primarily sourced from central government, a Ā£14.5m commitment from the Greater Norwich Growth Board, local developer contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
Norfolk County Council has worked in collaboration with South Norfolk Council (SNC), Norfolk Homes Ltd and Norfolk Land Ltd to develop proposals for the long-awaited bypass, which was granted full planning permission by South Norfolk Council in September 2023.
