A11 and A47, Norfolk - Temporary Road Closures and Traffic Restrictions due to Underpass Construction

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14(1)(A) AND (7), 15(2) AND 122A

THE A11 TRUNK ROAD (B1135 TUTTLES LANE INTERCHANGE TO A47/A11 THICKTHORN INTERCHANGE) AND THE A47 TRUNK ROAD (A1074 LONGWATER INTERCHANGE TO A140 IPSWICH ROAD INTERCHANGE) (NORFOLK) (TEMPORARY RESTRICTION AND PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC AND CYCLISTS) ORDER 202_

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that National Highways Limited(a) intends to make an Order on the A11 and A47 Trunk Roads in the County of Norfolk to enable major construction of a free-flowing underpass linking the A11 northbound with the A47 eastbound, including routine maintenance and all other associated works to be carried out in safety.

The works are expected to last until February 2028, starting on or after Monday 19 May 2025.

The works would be carried out in phases using a combination of lane closures, full carriageway, slip road and lay-by closures, width restriction and contraflow. Temporary mandatory speed limits would be in force at times in the interest of safety.

The restrictions and prohibitions would be applied only to the extent that is necessary for works to be undertaken and would only apply during such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by traffic signs.

For this notice the B1135 Tuttles Lane Interchange shall be referred to as Tuttles Lane I/C, the A47/A11 Thickthorn Interchange as Thickthorn I/C, the A1074 Longwater Interchange as Longwater I/C, the B1108 Watton Road Interchange as Watton Road I/C and the A140 Ipswich Road Interchange as Ipswich Road I/C.

The effect of the Order would be –

• To impose, for 24 hours daily, a speed restriction of 40mph on the –

  • A11 northbound carriageway from 2000 metres north of the entry slip road at Tuttles Lane I/C to its junction with Thickthorn I/C roundabout,

  • A11 southbound carriageway from its junction with Thickthorn I/C roundabout for 1200 metres,

  • A47 eastbound carriageway from 515 metres east of the entry slip road at Watton Road I/C to 1300 metres west of the exit slip road at Ipswich Road I/C,

  • A47 westbound carriageway from the entry slip road at the Ipswich Road Interchange to 100 metres west of the entry slip road at Thickthorn I/C, and

  • A47 east and westbound exit and entry slip roads at Thickthorn I/C.

• To close overnight (8pm – 6am) and occasional full weekends (8pm Friday – 6am Monday), in phases, the –

  • A11 northbound carriageway from the exit slip road at Tuttles Lane I/C to its junction with Thickthorn I/C roundabout,

  • A11 southbound carriageway from its junction with Thickthorn I/C roundabout for 1200 metres,

  • A11 northbound entry and southbound exit slip roads at Tuttles Lane I/C,

  • A47 eastbound carriageway from the exit slip road at Longwater I/C to the entry slip road at Ipswich Road I/C,

  • A47 westbound carriageway from the exit slip road at Ipswich Road I/C to the entry slip road at Watton Road I/C,

  • A47 eastbound entry slip road at Longwater I/C,

  • A47 eastbound exit and entry slip roads, and westbound exit slip road, at Watton Road I/C,

  • A47 eastbound and westbound exit and entry slip roads at Thickthorn I/C,

  • A47 eastbound exit slip road and westbound entry slip road at Ipswich Road I/C, and

  • circulatory carriageway of the A47/A11 Thickthorn I/C roundabout.

The new permanent carriageway linking the A11 northbound to the A47 eastbound would remain closed until construction has completed.

A contraflow would be in operation at times (for 24 hours daily) on the –

• A11 northbound and southbound carriageways between a point 90 metres south and a point 600 metres south of their junctions with the southwestern side of Thickthorn I/C roundabout, and

• A47 eastbound and westbound carriageways between points 100 metres east of the eastbound exit and westbound entry slip roads at Thickthorn I/C and points 1750 metres west of the eastbound entry and westbound exit slip roads at Ipswich Road I/C.

A vehicle width restriction of 2 metres would be in place at times on the offside lane of the lengths of carriageway described above while contraflow and narrow lanes are in operation.

Diversions, for closures on the A11 –

• traffic, other than cyclists, travelling northbound would be diverted east at the A134 Mundford Road Roundabout on the A11 Thetford Bypass to A1066 Mundford Road, north on the A140 at Scole, and onto the A47 westbound carriageway at Ipswich Road I/C to Thickthorn I/C; southbound vice versa.

• cyclists travelling northbound would be diverted to take the B1135 at Tuttles Lane I/C, then north on the B1172 Norwich Road to Thickthorn I/C; southbound vice versa.

Diversions, for closures on the A47 –

at various locations between Longwater I/C and Ipswich Road I/C when the A11 –

• is closed: traffic, other than cyclists, travelling eastbound would be diverted south to the A1065 Castle Acre Road at the A47 Swaffham Interchange, east on the A134 at Mundford, east on the A1066 at Thetford, north on the A140 at Scole, and onto the A47 eastbound carriageway at Ipswich Road I/C; westbound vice versa.

• is open: traffic, other than cyclists, travelling eastbound would be diverted south to the A1065 Castle Acre Road at the A47 Swaffham Interchange, east on the A134 at Mundford, and onto the A11 northbound carriageway at Ipswich Road I/C to Thickthorn I/C.

between Thickthorn I/C and Ipswich Road I/C: traffic, other than cyclists, travelling eastbound will be diverted south via the A11, east on the A1066 at A134 Mundford Road Roundabout, north on the A140 at Scole, and onto the A47 eastbound carriageway at Ipswich Road I/C; westbound vice versa.

Cyclists travelling eastbound would be diverted to take the eastbound B1108 Watton Road at Watton Road I/C, Colney Lane, Newmarket Road, Keswick Road, Low Road and Short Road to the Ipswich Road I/C; westbound vice versa.

Lay-bys adjacent to the lengths of closed carriageway above would be closed at times while works are being carried out.

The temporary mandatory speed limits (which would not apply to emergency service or special forces vehicles) closures (which would not apply to emergency service, traffic officer, works or winter maintenance vehicles) and diversion routes would be clearly indicated by traffic signs.

The Order would come into force on 19 May 2025 and may continue in force until the works detailed above have been completed.

L Walton, National Highways Limited

(a) Registered in England and Wales under company no. 9346363. Registered Office; Bridge House, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4LZ.

General Enquiries relating to this notice may be made in writing to Victoria Pardoe at National Highways Limited, Woodlands, Manton Lane, Bedford, MK41 7LW, by email to victoria.pardoe@highwaysengland.co.uk  or by telephoning 07894 238230.