Flooding on A47 at Honingham prompts call for action

Politicians said engineers need to stop the A47 to the west of Norwich from flooding, which is happening with worrying regularity - forcing the road to be shut or for drivers to have to negotiate potentially dangerous water.

Pumps had to be used to drain the water from the A47 near Honingham (Image: Denise Bradley)

They say the road is of huge economic importance to the county and it is not acceptable that traffic is being disrupted because of the frequent flooding, which has only recently become a problem in that location.

The road to the west of Norwich, between Easton and Honingham, was flooded again on Friday morning, with drivers facing delays of up to 45 minutes because National Highways had to take action to drain water from the road.

The government company, which is responsible for the road, had to put in temporary traffic lights while special vehicles, including one called a gulley sucker, pumped water out of the carriageway.

Drivers faced disruption and delays on the A47 at Honingham (Image: Denise Bradley)

The road has flooded at least eight times this winter and has twice had to shut after heavy rainfall.

The soil bank which was built to try to stop flooding (Image: National Highways)

National Highways had previously investigated the cause of flooding and had hoped fixing a broken pipe and construction of a soil bank would prevent further incidents.

Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman (Image: UK Parliament)

But George Freeman, Conservative Mid Norfolk MP, said it was clear further action was needed after the latest problems.

He said: "These repeated floodings and delays on the A47 have to stop.

"It’s the key arterial route on which all of us depend. These constant floods and delays hit local businesses, villages and all of us who rely on this key road.

"Following my discussions with National Highways they have taken urgent action to improve drainage, but it is clearly not enough.

"That is why I am picking this up with them as a matter of urgency to make sure they sort out proper flood prevention, and get on with the dualling works as quickly as possible."

Flooding on the A47 (Image: Zoe Rowling)

The flooding has coincided with National Highways' preparatory work, ahead of dualling the road between Easton and North Tuddenham, but the company insists that has not caused the problems.

A National Highways spokesman said: "Safety is National Highway's top priority, and after unprecedented rainfall the east of England experienced recently some road closures are unavoidable.

"It was our urgent priority to clear the A47 at Honingham - and many other roads across the region - of flood water as soon as possible.

National Highways has been trying to tackle the problem of flooding on the A47 at Honingham (Image: Denise Bradley)

"Following the occurrence of flooding at Honingham last November more than 40m of new pipe has been laid and a portion of garden wall has been taken down and rebuilt.

"A nearby tree – which was causing root damage to the pipe – has also been removed. While this work has helped to improve the situation, we understand the frustration for motorists when flooding occurs.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused to local people. We will continue to monitor the situation and look to implement further mitigation measures where possible."

Norfolk county councillor Bill Borrett (Image: Bill Borrett)

Norfolk county councillor Bill Borrett, who represents nearby Elmham and Mattishall, said: "It needs to be solved and I expect National Highways to get on and sort it out.

"It was flooded again yesterday and there were problems earlier this week too. That road is important to the county and needs to be open."

The Conservative county councillor added: "We cannot keep having it closed or people facing delays. It is hugely inconvenient for people in this area."

The A47 near Honingham (Image: Denise Bradley)

The government granted permission for the dualling of the A47 between Easton and North Tuddenham last year, but the decision was challenged in the High Court.

While former Green city and county councillor Dr Andrew Boswell's challenge was dismissed, a judge has granted him the right to appeal, which will be heard at the Court of Appeal on January 16.