DCO signed for £200m A47 stretch.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has signed the development consent order for construction of a new £200m dual carriageway on the A47.

The section, on the A47 between North Tuddenham and Easton is part of the £500m dualling project in Norfolk.

Highways England welcomed the decision, noting some of the benefits of the scheme include a more reliable, integrated network. It will also deliver a safer route for cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable users.

This is as well as reducing congestion related delays, improving journey times and increasing the overall capacity of the A47. This in turn will support economic growth.

Accident Rates

According to the National Highways website, the existing A47 has one of the highest recorded accident rates for an A road in the UK. Traffic modelling data from 2019 shows this section of the A47 is used by over 25,000 vehicles a day. 

The scheme will improve road safety by reducing the number of accidents and consequently the number of casualties. Over a 60-year timeframe, the scheme’s improvements could save up to 341 accidents and 64 killed or seriously injured.   

The 5.5-mile dual carriageway will be built south of the existing A47 at Hockering and will run north of the current road at Honingham.

Improvements

Two new junctions will also be constructed; Wood Lane – where Berrys Lane meets Wood Lane – and Norwich Road – where Blind Lane meets Taverham Road.

Easton Roundabout will also be removed helping to create a free-flowing road which will include four new bridges.

The granting of the DCO means preparatory work on the project can begin later this year with construction due to begin in early 2023.

The North Tuddenham to Easton scheme is part of National Highways’ £500m plan to improve the 115-mile section. The area of the A47 is between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth, with six separate projects along the 184 km route.

 National Highways said:

“Today we welcomed the Secretary of State for Transport’s decision to grant us a planning application called a Development Consent Order (DCO), which allows us to proceed with our plans to improve the A47 between North Tuddenham to Easton. 

The scheme will: 

• Create a new dual carriageway to replace the existing single carriageway between North Tuddenham and Easton. 
• Build two new junctions to better connect the side roads into the new dual carriageway, the first will be at Berry’s Lane and Wood Lane and the second is at Blind Lane and Taverham Road. 
• Remove the existing roundabout at Easton to create safer routes for walkers, cyclists and other vulnerable users."