First A47 improvement opens

The first in a series of major improvements to the A47 in the East of England has officially opened.

National Highways said the A47 Guyhirn junction, near Wisbech, marks the beginning of six significant schemes and almost half a billion pounds of spending along the 115-mile section of the A47 between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth.

Transport minister Baroness Vere officially opened the £17m project alongside local MP Stephen Barclay.

The main work on the year-long project, which has seen the junction enlarged with additional approach lanes, was completed at the end of March.

National Highways said the junction was previously the source of regular congestion with over 20,000 vehicles a day using the roundabout but that journey times are expected to be reduced by up to four minutes and capacity increased by 18%. Wider lanes will also improve visibility.

Senior project manager Jonathan Donlevy said: ‘The improvements we have made here are just the start of the work we are undertaking over the next two years to significantly improve the A47 between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth.’

Galliford Try project manager Tim Walker, said: ‘More than 120 staff have worked for over 110,000 hours to make this happen. The enlarged roundabout and additional lanes will ease congestion, ensure shorter journey times and improve safety.'

In addition to the completed Guyhirn scheme, three sections of the A47 will be upgraded to a dual carriageway. In Norfolk, the A47 will be dualled between Blofield and North Burlingham and between North Tuddenham and Easton, and in Cambridgeshire between Wansford and Sutton. The A11 Thickthorn junction interchange will also be improved.

Work on these projects is due to start in spring 2023.