What work is being done on the A140 Long Stratton Bypass?

Construction of the A140 Long Stratton bypass started at the end of May and is due to continue until the end of next year.

Nearby roads - Church Lane, Edge's Lane, Hall Lane and Parker's Lane - have been shut for the construction of the two-and-a-half mile, single-carriageway road.

An artist's visualisation of how the Long Stratton Bypass could look (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Despite recent rainy weather, Paul Browne, project director for contractor Octavius Infrastructure, which is building the road on behalf of Norfolk County Council, said: "The first phase of the main works are progressing well and the scheme remains on course for completion late 2025.

"All the side roads are now closed to pedestrians and traffic.

"Two public footpaths which cross the site will be maintained throughout the project’s duration, with any local diversions signposted on the ground."

The contractors will need to switch which of the routes are accessible at particular times during the building work.

The new bypass will stretch to the east of Long Stratton, starting at a new roundabout junction at Church Lane to the north and rejoining the existing A140 near Oakside Farm to the south.

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The government approved Conservative-controlled County Hall's full business case for the road last month.

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

There had been suggestions the road could get extra money after the government scrapped the northern leg of the HS2 rail route, but that has yet to materialise.

The rest of the funding for the road comes from a £14.5m commitment from the Greater Norwich Growth Board, local developer contributions and the Community Infrastructure Levy - a charge on developers.

The road is linked to plans for 1,800 homes to be built on land nearby.