Archaeological investigations are to start on sections of the A47 in Norfolk earmarked for dualling - even though highways bosses are still waiting for a High Court judge to rule whether the schemes can go ahead.

National Highways engineers intend to carry out archaeological explorations on the section between North Tuddenham and Easton from next month and on the Blofield to North Burlingham stretch from September.

Eastern Daily Press: The A47 between Easton and North TuddenhamThe A47 between Easton and North Tuddenham (Image: Highways England)

It comes at a time when the full construction work to dual those two sections of the A47 has been put on hold.

That is pending a judge's verdict on whether the government acted lawfully or not when it gave the go-ahead for the multi-million-pound dualling schemes.

Jan Challis, from National Highways - the government company which is responsible for the A47 - said: "We are still waiting for the judgment decision on whether to uphold the legal challenge or not.

"There is no time limit on this legal process - we simply have to wait until the judge passes down her judgment."

Eastern Daily Press: The A47 between Blofield and North BurlinghamThe A47 between Blofield and North Burlingham (Image: Highways England)

Mr Challis said National Highways remained "absolutely committed" to the dualling schemes, plus a revamp of Thickthorn roundabout on the edge of Norwich, and were "ready to start work" if the judge clears the schemes to go ahead.

He added some archaeological investigation work will be done over the next couple of months.

Eastern Daily Press: How the dualled A47 between Blofield and North Burlingham could lookHow the dualled A47 between Blofield and North Burlingham could look (Image: Highways England)

He said: "That's all reversible work, so it is nothing which will breach planning rules."

The government granted approval for the improvement schemes last year, but climate activist Andrew Boswell, a former Green city and county councillor, launched a judicial review.

Eastern Daily Press: Andrew Boswell launched a judicial review over the dualling of the A47 in NorfolkAndrew Boswell launched a judicial review over the dualling of the A47 in Norfolk (Image: Dan Grimmer)

His lawyers, at a two-day hearing at the High Court in London in May, argued the government's decisions were unlawful because the cumulative carbon impact of the schemes had not been properly considered.

Government lawyers insist the decisions - made by two transport secretaries - were lawful and it is now up to High Court judge Mrs Justice Thornton to make a judgment.

Eastern Daily Press: Mrs Justice ThorntonMrs Justice Thornton (Image: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary)

If she decides an unlawful decision was made, she could block the schemes from happening or send them back to the drawing board.