Officials have made a U-turn after planned road closures that threatened to blockade a Norfolk town were branded "farcical."

Norfolk County Council highways officers had proposed to shut Grimston Road - one of the main routes into King's Lynn - for 14 weeks.

The roadworks are part of a major project to build a new roundabout to support the 600-home Knights Hill development to the east of the town.

Grimston Road (A148) is one of the key routes into King's Lynn and is used by HGVs to reach the portGrimston Road (A148) is one of the key routes into King's Lynn and is used by HGVs to reach the port (Image: Google)

However, the announcement caused shock among locals, who realised this would impose an effective blockade on the town.

The road is the main route for lorries to enter and leave King's Lynn and its port to the north.

Other alternative roads have weight restrictions on them, which would prevent larger HGVs from passing through.

Following the backlash, NCC has decided to impose night-time closures instead to prevent travel chaos.

The new dates the road will close are:

  • Night closure between 7pm to 6.30am on October 7
  • Two-way temporary traffic lights under manual control between 7am and 6pm between October 7 - December 2
  • Night closures between 7pm - 6.30am for three nights from November 26
  • Two-way temporary traffic lights between 7am - 6pm between December 6 - January 25
  • Night closures between 7pm - 6.30am for five nights between January 20 and January 24

Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport said: "I know that people who travel through the area will be pleased to see that throughout the works the road will remain open to traffic with just a few nighttime closures. 

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transportGraham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport (Image: Norfolk County Council) "Temporary traffic lights will be used throughout which may cause some slight delays but avoids any full closures of the area which we know would have caused major disruption.”

Simon Ring, deputy leader of West Norfolk CouncilSimon Ring, deputy leader of West Norfolk Council (Image: KLWNBC)

Simon Ring, deputy leader of West Norfolk Council who branded the situation as "farcical," said: "Night time closures are what we wanted so many will be delighted at this.

"I am pleased NCC has said it will look at its processes to make sure this does not happen again."