Norfolk County Council begin search for company to build long-awaited Long Stratton bypass

The search is on to find the company that will construct the long-awaited Long Stratton bypass.

Permission for the two-and-a-half-mile bypass was granted by South Norfolk Council last month.

It has been a long time coming for the town, which has been plagued by traffic bottlenecks for decades.

The idea was first mooted in 1930, with demand growing in recent decades as the road became increasingly busy.

David Allfrey, assistant director of infrastructure delivery at Norfolk County Council, said: “Following the granting of planning permission at last month’s planning committee, we have begun the procurement process to find a suitable contractor to construct the bypass on our behalf.

“We are currently seeking expressions of interest before commencing with the formal shortlisting process.

“We are aiming to complete the procurement process by the end of this year and start construction in spring next year, with the road potentially open to traffic in the autumn of 2025.

“This is subject to finalising planning conditions and other statutory consents, and completing the final funding approvals.”

As well as cutting journey times on one of the busiest routes in the county, the new road will also transform the town and the surrounding area.

It will not only remove traffic from the centre but the full plan will also almost double the population, as the road forms part of a wider scheme to build 1,875 homes and a new school.

The project took a significant step forward in 2021, when the Department for Transport pledged £26.2 million towards the £46.2 million cost. Additional funding will come from developers building the homes.

Alison Thomas (pictured), a county and district councillor for Long Stratton, told last month’s development committee she had been campaigning for the road since 1995.

“This is quite a historic day for me and many of the residents,” she said.

“Discussion around a bypass first started around 1930, so let’s hope we can get it done before we reach 100 years.”

Some concerns were raised about the scheme during the planning meeting, particularly on whether there were too many roundabouts on the bypass and if the number of affordable homes in the plan was sufficient at 14 per cent, or 265 homes, across both sites. It was passed unanimously, however.