Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin visited Norfolk last week and took a look at the early work being carried out on the Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NNDR).
Mr McLoughlin visited the line of the road where it passes through the City of Norwich Aviation Museum on the northern perimeter of Norwich International Airport. A number of aircraft will be moved later this month (March) to a new extension of the museum compound, allowing work on the road to proceed. He was also briefed on progress in establishing a Norwich Aviation Academy at the airport.
Commenting on the early work on the NNDR, Mr McLoughlin said: “I was pleased to see that work is now underway on this important scheme which will help deliver 10,000 new homes and 12,000 jobs. The Norwich Northern Distributor Route will help the economy grow and make journeys better for drivers.
“The east of England is central to our long-term economic plan and the area has seen the fastest employment growth in the country outside London since 2010."
Balfour Beatty is the main contractor for the Norwich Northern Distributor Road scheme and has been working on the scheme since it was awarded the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase in 2009.
Phil Ford, Balfour Beatty project director, added: “We were thrilled to have Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State for Transport visit the NNDR project team. The new road, once complete will take around 40,000 vehicles a day from congested and unsuitable roads, bringing relief to local communities and Norwich city centre, and at peak construction will employ around 500 people.”
During his trip the Transport Secretary also visited the £6.8 million Great Yarmouth link road, which was completed in December 2015, and drove along the A47 to Great Yarmouth to see how Highways England is developing detailed plans for six improvement schemes on the road, including dualling and major junction improvement.
Pictured from left to right: George Nobbs, leader of Norfolk County Council; Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport; Phil Ford, Balfour Beatty project director and Ian Taylor, NNDR project manager.
