New £46.9m A140 Long Stratton bypass on track to be finished by end of 2025
A multi-million pound bypass project is on track to be completed on time, according to its construction company.
The long-awaited extension to the A140 in Long Stratton is set to cost around £46.9 million to complete.
It will stretch from a new roundabout at Church Lane to the north, going east for about 2.4 miles, before rejoining the existing A140 near Oakside Farm.
Senior Norfolk County Council leaders and partners visited the site this week to see what progress had been made since the project was given final approval from the Government.
Gavin Pritchard, managing director for highways at Octavius Infrastructure, which is constructing the road, said: “Our work is progressing at pace and this visit gave us the opportunity to show all those involved the scale of construction and what to expect in the weeks and months ahead.
“Our major earthworks programme will continue throughout this year, before constructing the overpasses and three roundabouts from early 2025 to begin linking the new road back into local routes and the existing A140.
“We will continue to work closely with our key stakeholders and the local community to keep disruption to a minimum, while we deliver lasting benefits to the travelling public.”
The guests were talked through the steps to deliver the full project before being shown activities currently taking place, which involves compacting large areas of earth along the full route.
The wider project – a collaboration between Norfolk County Council and South Norfolk Council – includes the creation of 1,875 new homes, new employment land and a site for a new primary school.
Kay Mason Billig, leader of the county council and a member of the Greater Norwich Growth Board, said: “It’s fantastic to see the progress being made to make this new road a reality.
“This will make a real difference for long-suffering commuters and residents in Long Stratton, while providing an economic boost to our whole region.
“The bypass is set to create hundreds of new jobs and homes in addition to solving local transport issues and is a great example of how neighbouring authorities can join together for the collective benefit of residents. This is something we will continue to fight for to get the best infrastructure for Norfolk.”
Long Stratton county councillor Alison Thomas said she was happy to see the project finally taking shape.
“Having campaigned for a bypass since 1996, I am delighted to see work progressing well,” she said.
“Our role now will be to ensure the project is delivered as soon as possible to improve the safety and wellbeing of all those living, working or travelling through Long Stratton.”
The bypass will include two new roundabouts at Edges Lane and Parkers Lane, along with a pedestrian and cycle bridge and a vehicular road bridge in Hall Lane.
Funding has been sourced from central government, with a £14.5 million commitment from the Greater Norwich Growth Board and local developer contributions helping to swell the pot.
It is set to be completed by late 2025.
