Complaints force change at junction with roadworks

Changes to improve traffic flow at a major city junction that is undergoing roadworks have been announced, following complaints from motorists.

Norfolk County Council said alterations would be made by National Highways from Saturday, which would see traffic merging further along the eastbound A47 to avoid gridlock at the Thickthorn roundabout, near Norwich.

The £200m project to overhaul the A47-A11 junction is one of three major schemes happening in the county, which has caused a "nightmare" for motorists.

The council said once works were complete at Thickthorn, it would make journey times more reliable and help support growth in Norwich and the surrounding area.

From Saturday morning the traffic layout will be changed, so vehicles approaching from the A11 and heading eastbound on the A47 will use lane one, and traffic already on the A47 and heading eastbound will use lane two.

Both lanes will then merge further along the A47 "to create a better flowing intersection, which we hope will increase traffic flow and reduce congestion", the council said.

The upgrade has coincided with a lane closure on the A47 southern bypass, between Little Melton and the A140 Ipswich Road.

Other ongoing schemes include new junctions and dualling of the road between Blofield and North Burlingham, and between North Tuddenham and Easton.

Relevant authorities have previously been criticised for running the projects at once.

South Norfolk Labour MP, Ben Goldsborough, previously told the BBC it was a "nightmare".

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