Robyn Greenacre A major Norfolk road is set to be hit by weeks of delays after it emerged that two sets of roadworks are being undertaken only a few miles apart.Commuters using the A47 will face tailbacks and congestion created by the double whammy of work.

Robyn Greenacre

A major Norfolk road is set to be hit by weeks of delays after it emerged that two sets of roadworks are being undertaken only a few miles apart.

Commuters using the A47 will face tailbacks and congestion created by the double whammy of work forcing many to leave home for work much earlier than usual.

The stretch of A47 between Dereham and Norwich is used by around 25,000 vehicles every day, and even if the road is clear often the sheer volume of traffic can lead to delays.

As previously reported in the EDP, from Monday, September 8, seven-month long road safety improvements at the deadly Mattishall Road junction, near Honingham, will start.

A 40mph speed limit will be in force, and only one lane will be open between 8pm and 6am with a 10mph speed limit, and at some point during the work the junction itself will be closed for a month, after which it will be closed from 8pm to 6am with diversions for motorists in place.

But now the Highways Agency has announced a second set of works on the A47 in Dereham, just a week after the Honingham work starts.

Work near the slip roads with Toftwood and Scarning is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 15, and will last for around seven weeks.

Improvements include crack and joint repair, replacement of concrete carriageway bays, road resurfacing, removal and replacement of traffic signs, removal of trees and putting up a safety barrier.

There will be a speed limit of 40mph, some junctions onto the A47 will be closed off, and when the resurfacing work begins there will only be one lane open with a speed limit of 10mph. Work will be carried out from 8pm to 6am.

In 2005 the same stretch of road underwent a multi-million pound improvement scheme, but the Highways Agency could not say whether the planned works were related to the previous ones.

A spokesman said: “I can confirm work starts on September 15 for seven weeks - but it is overnight work.

“The affected stretch of road is from Wendling to Dereham and involves repairs to the concrete carriageway plus the associated works.”