A £4.6m scheme to widen the A1074 Dereham Road, between the Longwater Lane junction and Britannia Way at Costessey in Norwich, has been completed with traffic, now flowing smoothly along the busy route.
The scheme which will cut congestion and make the route fit for the future has been finished on time and to budget.
Work started in February 2018 on the scheme set to provide additional capacity on the road network to deal with the planned housing growth in the area.
In addition to the increase to four lanes of traffic, the scheme has seen a range of works taking place including a new two stage traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing and linking of the pedestrian and cycle path into existing routes.
Cllr Martin Wilby Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport, said: “This is another scheme we have successfully delivered thanks to money we’ve been able to bring in from developers and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.
“With the transport improvements now complete we will return later in the year to plant 290 trees to replace those that sadly had to be removed to allow the scheme to take place.
“Cutting congestion on this key section of Dereham Road used by over 26,000 vehicles a day was vital. We’ve brought the route up to a standard which can cope with the increase in traffic both now and into the future.”
The improvements have been funded by local developers and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund.
Minister for Local Growth, Jake Berry MP said: “We’re committed to supporting economic growth across the country and rebalancing the economy so that it works for everyone.
“The £2m Local Growth Fund contribution to the widening of Dereham Road and other traffic improvements in the area will benefit local residents by reducing congestion, making the area safer for pedestrians and cyclists and creating space for planned housing growth.”
Cllr Tim East, County Councillor for the Costessey Division, said: “Local people have had to face daily issues with the growth of traffic on Dereham Road. The project will hugely benefit everyone who lives in Costessey and help vehicles flow through this busy route and I know everyone who uses the bus stop near the Roundwell medical centre will be grateful that this project has allowed us to fix the flooding problems on the road outside!”
Doug Field, Chair of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Widening the roads and improving the traffic situation for cyclists and pedestrians here are important infrastructure changes that will make a difference to people’s lives on a daily basis.
“The LEP invests in areas where growth takes place through Government’s Growth Deal programme ensuring residents and businesses can benefit from the enhancements. This project will deliver on these aims and we much welcome the timely finish.”
