Thickthorn junction scheme gets green light

18/10/2022 | CHRIS AMES AND DOMINIC BROWNE

The new transport secretary has approved another of National Highways’ delayed improvement schemes on the A47 in Norfolk.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan granted a development consent order (DCO) for the £161m scheme to redevelop Thickthorn junction on the outskirts of Norwich.

This will see two free-flowing connections between the A47 and the A11 as well as additional lanes and pedestrian crossings. A new half-mile link road will also be built and a new footbridge over the A47 will also be put in place around 45m to the east of the current bridge, which will be removed.

This scheme is one of six major improvements costing almost half a billion pounds that National Highways is making to the 115-mile section of the A47 between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth.

The government-owned company said the schemes will improve safety and reduce congestion on the A47 – ‘currently one of the country’s most dangerous A roads’.

Traffic modelling data shows the section of the A47 between Thickthorn junction and the Ipswich Road junction is used by over 60,000 vehicles each and the A47 has one of the highest recorded accident rates for an A road in the UK.

National Highways said that following the redevelopment of the junction, casualty projections over the next 60 years suggest that as many as 26 fatal or serious injury collisions could be prevented, with 242 fewer incidents.

The first of the package of schemes, a £17m upgrade to Guyhirn junction in Cambridgeshire, officially opened in May.

However, in 2017 Highways England, as it was known, announced that three schemes, including the Thickthorn Junction scheme, were to be delayed as part of a ‘reprofiling’ of the first Road Investment Strategy that saw around 10% of the programme delayed, kicked into the long grass or cancelled.

In 2019, it awarded Galliford Try a deal that was then worth £300m for the A47 package.

In 2020 Norfolk County Council called for Highways England to be held to account for the ‘agonisingly slow’ progress on improvements to the A47.

Chris Griffin, National Highways programme leader in the East Region, said: ‘Anyone who knows the area will also know how busy the junction can be and I am confident our work will significantly reduce congestion, improve journey times and, most importantly, make the road safer.

‘As we now move towards the construction stage this serves as a further example of National Highways’ commitment to upgrading the A47 between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth.’

National Highways said the granting of the DCO means preparatory work on the project can begin later this year with construction due to begin in early 2023 and the redeveloped junction fully open to traffic by early 2025.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Traffic Management Technician - WMF2240e

£28,598 - £29,540
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking a committed and technically capable individual to join our Traffic Management Team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Technician-Road Closures

£35,422 - £38,730
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic and a team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technician - Road Closures (2 Posts)

£29,719 - £31,691
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic, an excellent team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Structures Inspector

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for two Permanent Structure Inspectors to join our dynamic SBIM team Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Site Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Site Manager Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Principal Commercial Manager

£Competitive
The SBIM contract involves delivering inspection and maintenance programmes for National Highways Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Commercial Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Senior Commercial Manager Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives. Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Managing QS

£Competitive
In this role, you will support the Senior Commercial team in the end to end commercial process for the Area 12 contract. Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Inspection Officer

£32,962 - £36,791 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Highways Inspection Officer to join us! Windsor, Berkshire
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Highways Technical Assistant

£29,064 - £31,537
Are you looking for a varied role in a dynamic and innovative team environment that can make a real difference to North Yorkshire’s highways? Leeming Bar, Northallerton
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Street Lighting Electrical Inspector

£34,434 - £38,220 per annum
Do you hold an ONC in electrical engineering or City & Guilds Electrician? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior bridge Engineer - WMF2212e

£47,181 - £48,226
You will be the key responsible engineer for this area and will also provide technical advice and guidance to our team Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF2221e

£28,598 - £29,540
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bridge Engineer - WMF2219e

£42,839 - £44,075
We are currently seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic Bridge Engineer Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Public Transport Officer

£42,839 - £46,142
We are looking for an experienced public transport professional to become our Senior Public Transport Officer. Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) (Fixed-Term)

£48,226-£51,356
We are looking for an experienced professional to join as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Mobile Street Scene Operative

£24,796 to £25,989 per annum
The Waste and Street Scene department requires enthusiastic and committed mobile street cleansing operative. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Technician - Highways Design (2 Posts)

Grade 10 £35,422 - 38,730 per annum
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Professional Services Section Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW