Queues as new section of A47 fails to open on time

Drivers faced long delays after a new stretch of road in Norfolk failed to open on time.

A 2.6-mile (4.2km) section of the A47 between Blofield and and North Burlingham, east of Norwich was due to open at 06:00 GMT but did not open until 06:38.

Drivers told the BBC they were stuck in queues and residents reported lorries using back roads instead.

National Highways apologised for the delay and said bad weather over the weekend prevented some work being completed on time.

The government approved the project, which cost about £100m, in 2022, and National Highways started work on the scheme in October 2024.

An estimated 30,000 vehicles use the stretch daily.

It is one of three major upgrade projects taking place on the A47, including works at Tuddenham, expected to finish in 2027, and improvements to the Thickthorn roundabout due for completion in 2028.

Chris Griffin, programme manager for National Highways said: "Just so much work to do, painting those last white lines, removing the last cones but I'm pleased to say the traffic is moving freely now and the new part of the A47 is open."

Griffin said there had been delays laying asphalt because of weather over the weekend, meaning it had to be done on Tuesday instead.

"The way the road system works we have to block book the closures and the next closure available to us was next Saturday. It felt to us, with the amount we had left to do, it made sense to just get it open this morning instead of next Saturday," he added.

He apologised to those caught up in delays and said the organisation would "take a learning" from it.

"It's critical work for safety, so people are driving on a safer road this morning. So those extra few minutes means hopefully we can avoid an accident," he said.

Another part of the A47 is shut between the A10 at King's Lynn and the A1122 at Swaffham after a crash in which a vehicle overturned.

Drivers have been warned to expect delays in the area.

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