• Extensive Roadworks on A47

    Dear Customer

     

    Following a formal statutory process, I am writing to let you know that we’re reducing the speed limit on the A47 between Peterborough to Pullover Roundabout in King’s Lynn at the following sections:

     

    Section 1 – A47 Welland Road roundabout to Oversley Lodge roundabout will change from the National Speed Limit of 60mph to 50mph

     

    Section 2 – Thorney New Cut roundabout to Thorney Toll will change from the National Speed Limit of 60mph to 50mph

     

    Section 3 – Thorney Toll village will change from National Speed Limit of 60mph to 40mph

     

    Section 4 – Thorney Toll to Guyhirn will change from the National Speed Limit of 60mph to 50mph

     

    Section 5 – Guyhirn to Wisbech will change from the National Speed Limit of 60mph to 50mph

     

    Section 6 – Shoreboat Roundabout to Pullover roundabout will change from the National Speed Limit of 60mph to 50mph

     

    These speed management changes are based on collision and risk assessment data. This scheme aims to improve safety for all road users by reducing the number of people harmed on this route.

     

    Work includes the installation of speed limit signage and twenty new variable speed cameras to enforce the new speed limits.

     

    We are not responsible for the enforcement of speed limits, that responsibility lies with the relevant police force.

     

    We are planning to start work on Monday 24 February 2025. This will last approximately 10 months. We will work between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only, weather permitting.

     

    Closures and diversions

    To carry out the work safely, we will need to close the A47 in four sections, and divert traffic as detailed in the table below:

     

    Closure Dates Diversion
    Wisbech Roundabout to Pullover Roundabout 24 February to 01 May 2025 (weeknights)

    Traffic travelling eastbound on the A47 will be diverted onto A1101 at Wisbech Roundabout. Follow the A1101 and A1122 to the A10 to rejoin the A47 at Hardwick Roundabout.

     

    Traffic travelling westbound will follow the same diversion as above, but in reverse.

     

    (Map 1)

     

    Guyhirn Roundabout to Wisbech Roundabout

    May 2025 to July 2025 (weeknights)

     

    Traffic travelling eastbound on the A47 will be diverted off at Guyhirn Roundabout onto the A141 until turning left onto the A142. Follow the A142 to the A10 and continue on the A10 towards Downham Market. Turn left onto A1122 and then continue onto the A1101 before rejoining the A47 at Wisbech Roundabout.

     

    Traffic travelling westbound will follow the same diversion as above, but in reverse.

     

    (Map 2)

     

    Dogsthorpe Roundabout to Guyhirn Roundabout Late Summer 2025 (weeknights)

    Traffic travelling eastbound on the A47 will be diverted onto the A15 Paston Pkwy at Dogsthorpe Roundabout, turn right onto A1139 and exit the A1139 at junction 3A onto the A605 and follow to the A141 before rejoining the A47 at Guyhirn Roundabout.

     

    Traffic travelling westbound will follow the same diversion as above, but in reverse.

     

    (Map 3)

     

    Dogsthorpe Roundabout to Littlewood Roundabout November 2025 (weeknights)

    Traffic travelling eastbound on the A47 will be diverted onto the A15 Paston Pkwy at Dogsthorpe Roundabout. Continue on the A15 turn left onto Eye Road and onto the Peterborough Road (A1139) rejoin the A47 at Eye Road Roundabout.

     

    Traffic travelling westbound will follow the same diversion as above, but in reverse.

     

    (Map 4)

     

    Laybys along the A47 will be closed 24/7 during each phase while we introduce the speed limit reduction and install the new variable speed cameras.

     

    Please note dates are subject to changes once work begins and we’ll aim update to you as soon as possible should our work programme change.

     

    A map of each of the diversions can be found below.

     

    How to find out more

     

    Please visit our dedicated webpage for regular updates throughout the work, or alternatively sign up for news alerts here: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/east/safety-schemes-in-the-east-region/

     

     

    If you would like more information, please contact us on 0300 123 5000, or by email at  [email protected].

     

    Yours faithfully

     

    Niamh McGrath

    Project Manager

    Operations East, Scheme Delivery Team

  • Winter gritting of Parish Roads

    Your Parish Council has tried, without success, to have Walton Road out to the A47 adding to the gritting routes in cold weather.

    Norfolk County Council have now released the following statement:

    NCC cannot grit all of Norfolk’s 6,159 mile (9,911 km) road network because of the time it would take and the cost involved.

     

    Priorities for gritting roads have been established on the basis of the route hierarchy and level of use.  The main roads will be gritted before other routes.

     

    Our three hour gritting runs cover a total of approximately 2,200 miles (3,500 km) on A, B and some C class roads – commuter and major bus routes and as far as is possible one route into all villages.  Some footways in the pedestrian areas of central King’s Lynn, central Great Yarmouth and central Norwich are also treated as priority.

     

    National Highways treats 143 miles of trunk roads including the A11 and A47.

     

    While it is unlikely that any additional roads will be added to our current schedules, if you feel you have an exceptional case for amending them, you should contact your Parish or Town Clerk. If you live in Norwich you should contact your local councillor.

     

    Although the County Council carries out the assessment in line with the Winter Service Policy, the view of a parish or town council is important and is taken into consideration. Due to limited salt capacity on the gritting vehicles and time constraints, it is likely that an existing road may need to be removed from the current schedule to accommodate a new addition.

  • Heritage Property event – Wednesday March 19th 2025

    Heritage Property event – Wednesday March 19th 2025

    Running in Swaffham, a one-day workshop for building owners around the theme of retrofitting traditional buildings, with practical advice from expert speakers

    • Open to home-owners, landlords, councillors and officers across Norfolk
    • Speakers include Historic England, National Trust and Matter of Place Architects
    • Lunchtime tour of heritage buildings in Swaffham
    • Free event
    • Focussed on practical support, but also hearing from people to help inform future work in the county

    Link : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-introduction-to-energy-efficient-traditionally-built-homes-tickets-1111564402049

  • Norfolk Net Zero Communities Survey – Win a prize!

    We’re working on a project to help make Norfolk homes warmer, greener, and cheaper to run, and we need your input! 💬

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    Every response counts! Your answers will help tackle barriers to making homes more energy efficient and support greener travel across Norfolk.

    👉 Click here to have your say: https://form.jotform.com/250153358953359

    ⏳ Hurry! Survey closes 23rd February. Don’t miss your chance to win £50 while helping create a brighter, more sustainable future for our county.

  • Update on potential footpath upgrade

    The Parish Council has been working with Norfolk County Councillor Chris Dawson to explore the possibility of upgrading the Trod Path along Smeeth Rd to a full specification, tarmacked and drained footway, including kerbing to the highway. This necessitated a Feasibility Study of considerable detail, and the first phase has now been completed.

    The study is required to examine the extent of the highway available to the scheme, along with other considerations, such as drainage possibilities. The Parish Council has invested considerably in this project, with the majority of the funding provided by NCC & Cllr. Dawson.

    The next phase of the work will be focused on the design detail, from which the project can be costed. Originally monies previously allocated to the cancelled national HS2 project were to be made available, however that option has since been withdrawn, and new funding sources will be evaluated, as and when they come on stream.

     

  • The Parish Council install a Cycle Repair Stand at the Parish Playing Field

    The Parish Council unveiled a cycle repair stand at the Parish Playing Field on Smeeth Road this week.

    The unit has been jointly funded by the Parish Council and the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, who made a grant under from their Rural England Prosperity Funding stream.

    Situated just metres from Marshland Hall and its facilities, the repair stand is ideally placed for cyclists enjoying a local jaunt or a longer distance ride along National Cycle Network Route 1 which passes through the Parish.

    It didn’t take long for the first family to make use of the facility.