The latest plans to cut congestion and improve safety on the A47 in Great Yarmouth have gone on display today as National Highways issues an update on proposed roundabout upgrades.
National Highways is upgrading six stretches of the A47 between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth as part of a multi-billion pound investment to improve journeys on England’s major A-road and motorways.
The section of A47 through Great Yarmouth is known for experiencing heavy congestion during peak times. Its latest proposals are to upgrade the Vauxhall and Harfrey’s Roundabouts to increase their traffic capacity which National Highways says will relieve congestion, reduce journey times, support economic growth across the region, and improve safety.
Its original plans for the town were announced in 2017 and focused on improvements at the Vauxhall roundabout and Gapton roundabouts. However, it says the new Third River Crossing was awarded government funding shortly after and is now being constructed, so it says updated traffic modelling showed that National Highways plans would no longer bring the intended benefits to the road network.
National Highways says it has therefore been working collaboratively with Norfolk County Council to review the changes in traffic flows and how they impact traffic using the A47 and its junctions.
The refreshed proposals, which are now on display, focus on changes to the Vauxhall Roundabout and Harfrey’s Roundabout. The plans include:
- A larger roundabout to improve traffic flow
- Creating crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists at both roundabouts
- Constructing a second bridge over the railway at the Vauxhall roundabout to provide more traffic capacity, as well as widening the existing bridge
- Harfrey’s Roundabout will have revised road markings to improve overall capacity, including new traffic lanes, as well as walking and cycle crossing improvements
Chris Griffin, National Highways A47 Programme Lead, said: “The A47 is a key route connecting East Anglia with the Midlands and upgrading key sections of it will help keep drivers’ journey moving and support the economic growth of the region. The improvements at Great Yarmouth will be positive for people who live, work or travel in and around the area as they’ll make journey times more reliable and improve safety.
“We’re keen to have comments on the latest designs to help us better understand the local priorities and any potential impacts on the community. We will listen to everyone’s feedback and we’ll consider this before we finalise our designs next year.”
Cllr Martin Wilby, Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport, and Chair of the A47 Alliance, added, “These improvements will build on the significant investment by Norfolk County Council and the Government in the Third River Crossing which is set to cut congestion and deliver a welcome boost for the town and its port.
“I’d urge residents and businesses to respond to the consultation as this will help National Highways to shape their plans.
“The A47 is a key route and while we welcome these improvements we’re still determined to see the Government invest further in this region so we’ll continue to press for the much needed dualling of the Acle Straight and whole of the A47 as soon as possible.”
People can share their feedback on the latest design with National Highways between Monday 29 November and Monday 10 January.
