Long Stratton roads closed but bypass work start on hold

On Monday, Norfolk County Council started the process of shutting roads to allow the A140 Long Stratton bypass - a new, two-and-a-half-mile, single-carriageway road - to be built.

But, while signs about diversions and road closures have appeared on roads leading off the A140, council bosses said the bulk of work must wait a bit longer.

An artist's impression of the Long Stratton bypass (Image: Norfolk Homes)

A Norfolk County Council spokesman said the authority was still waiting to get final confirmation from the government over funding, so the main construction cannot start until that happens.

Roads are being closed to pave the way for the construction of the Long Stratton bypass (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The spokesman said: "To allow the construction of the Long Stratton bypass to begin at the earliest opportunity we issued notices to allow affected side roads to be closed.

"The issuing of the side road notices ensures we can begin the main construction without delay as soon as the final funding settlement is confirmed from government, which is expected imminently.

"Once work gets under way, Church Lane, Edge’s Lane, Hall Lane and Parkers Lane will be closed for the duration of the works which are scheduled to last until autumn 2025."

READ MORE: Photographs show route of new A140 Long Stratton bypass

The work will see the new road built on fields to the east of Long Stratton.

Diversions are being put in place for road closures so the Long Stratton bypass can be built (Image: Sonya Duncan)

When the road is finished, Hall Lane will bridge over the bypass and Church Lane realigned and connected to a new roundabout at the route's northern end.

Parkers Lane will be realigned to form a link from the existing A140 to a roundabout toward the southern end of the bypass.

The council spokesman said: "Some future temporary traffic management will be needed on the A140 to join the new bypass to the existing road network but this will not come until further into the project and details will be provided at a later stage."

An aerial picture showing where the Long Stratton bypass will be built (Image: Mike Page)

The government announced in 2021 that it would give £26.2m towards the road, but the bill has risen to £46.9m.

Some of the cost will be covered from developer contributions, with the project linked to the construction of 1,800 homes.

The county council is hoping the government's decision to scrap part of the HS2 rail link will make more money available.