Drivers warned of long delays over A47 closure

Motorists have been warned to expect long delays this weekend ahead of a major road closure.

The A47 will be shut west of Norwich in both directions between the Honingham and Easton roundabouts from 20:00 GMT on Friday until 06:00 on Monday.

It is part of a £300m project to dual 5.5-mile stretch (8.9km) of the trunk route between North Tuddenham and Easton.

National Highways has put long diversions in place and urged drivers to allow an extra 85 minutes for journeys, with a Norwich City match and a nearby road race fixture expecting to add to traffic.

The diversions will take drivers miles out of their way.

For those heading westbound, motorists have been advised to head east on the A47, join the A11 and head southwest, before leaving the A11 at Thetford and joining the A134 heading northwest.

At Mundford, drivers should take the A1065 northwards towards Swaffham, rejoin the A47 at Swaffham and head east.

Those travelling eastbound should head west on the A47, leave the A47 at Swaffham and head south on the A1065.

At Mundford, drivers should take the A134 to Thetford heading southeast, then at Thetford take the A11, heading northeast toward Norwich, and rejoin the A47.

National Highways warned people there would be no access onto the A47 from side roads or into Easton from the Dereham Road roundabout.

Additionally, there would be no way of getting onto Norwich Road/Mattishall Road from the Honingham roundabout.

Traffic marshals will escort people living on the affected stretch of the A47 through the road closure and the emergency services will have access.

A Norfolk County Council spokeswoman said the "significant disruption" should make people carefully consider their journey times when arranging plans.

"The diversion route, which will be signed, is long but this is because many of the local roads in the area are narrow and/or just not suitable for the volume of traffic that would usually use the A47," she said.

Organisers of a Norfolk County Road Race Championship event at Easton College on Sunday have recommended runners to arrive at the site from the Longwater roundabout.

In a message on the Norfolk Gazelles website, it said: "Please ensure you leave adequate time to get to the venue as the race will start promptly at 10am."

National Highways has said it hoped to have the new stretch of road open by spring 2027.

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