Ian Clarke Rush hour motorists faced long hold-ups this morning after a two-car crash on one of Norfolk's busiest roads.Drivers were delayed by up to an hour and a half and many people were late for work after the collision on the A47 at the Honingham/Mattishall turn off between Norwich and Dereham.

Ian Clarke

Rush hour motorists faced long hold-ups this morning after three crashes on one of Norfolk's busiest roads.

Drivers were delayed by up to an hour and a half and many people were late for work after the collision on the A47 at the Honingham/Mattishall turn off between Norwich and Dereham.

The crash happened at about 7.45am and police, fire service and ambulance crews were all called to the scene.

Police said no-one was seriously injured but two people were taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with minor injuries.

Drivers travelling towards Dereham were diverted through Ringland or Barnham Broom and the sheer volume of traffic caused delays on the narrow minor roads.

Many motorists heading to Norwich were stuck on the A47 and unable to move.

Julie Sherwood said: “I left Swaffham this morning at 7.15am and got into work at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital at 10.15am.

“We were diverted near the church at East Tuddenham by the police then sent along narrow lanes it was ludicrous. HGV's and buses stopped the traffic both ways as they tried to pass each other.

“I turned my engine off in the end as I was stationery for 55 minutes at one point and there was nowhere to turn your car around, so we were effectively trapped in traffic.

“It just highlights the need for the A47 to be dualled. I have been working in Norwich for 15 months now and usually the journey takes 40 minutes but at least once a month there is an accident and the road is closed.

“I can't understand why the road has been downgraded in the list of priorities especially with the extra traffic coming from Yarmouth when they complete the marina development.”

Ian Syer from Dereham said: “I was caught up in traffic this morning for 90 minutes before being diverted back to Mattishall. “Considering I set out from Dereham at 7.55am to get into Norwich for work and then ended up 2 miles from my home after nearly two hours I've decided to work from home this morning and try again this afternoon.”

Bus services were also delayed.

Laura Wright, 24, who was travelling on the Excel bus to Norwich from Swaffham to work, told EDP24: “We were stuck on the A47 from 8.10am to about 9.10am and just didn't move. We were waiting for ages to be let through. Eventually we were told a diversion would be opened up.

“Now we're heading towards Mattishall on the diversion route but in the last half hour we've moved about a mile. There's too much traffic to get through. I'm going to be really late for work but goodness knows about all those people on the buses behind.”

The road has now reopened after oil and debris were cleared.

A 40-year-old woman has been taken to Queen Elizabeth's Hospital in Kings Lynn after a crash at about 8.20am involving a lorry and a car at Scarning, near Dereham.

And a man was left needing hospital treatment after a car ploughed through traffic lights on the A47 Trowse bypass at the junction with the A146 just before 6.45am.

The traffic lights were dislodged by the impact leaving debris strewn across the road. Two other cars were also involved.

*Were you held up in one of the crashes? Let us know how long you were delayed. Ring Ian Clarke on 01362 854701 or e-mail ian.clarke@archant.co.uk.