Upgrade works to improve safety on A47 at East Winch now complete

Works to upgrade a notorious stretch of the A47 in West Norfolk is now complete, with a speed limit reduction to 40mph and a new pedestrian crossing point now in place.

Highways England, which announced the £150,000 package of safety measures to the road at East Winch last month, spent three weeks working on the road while it was closed overnight.

Officials said the improvements were introduced following a review of the road through East Winch and "extensive engagement" with stakeholders including Norfolk County Council and East Winch Parish Council.

The speed limit on the A47 through the village has been reduced by 10mph, from 50mph to 40mph, while improved signage and a new pedestrian crossing point, east of Gayton Road, have been installed.

The three-weeks’ worth of work, which took place between February and March, also saw upgrades to the road markings, pedestrian footpaths and extensive vegetation clearance.

Andy Dyer, Highways England project sponsor, said: “We understand how important the A47 is to local people and the thousands of drivers that travel on it every day.

"With safety being at the heart of everything we do at Highways England, the £150,000 enhancements we’ve implemented will help to improve safety on the stretch of road through East Winch for local people and road users.

“Throughout the three-weeks we worked closely with Norfolk County Council and East Winch Parish Council to ensure any disruption was kept to a minimum, and I’d like to thank them and the local community for their support in getting to the point where the improvements are live.”

The £150,000 scheme of work is part of the £55.8 million being invested in maintaining and improving the East of England’s trunk roads and motorways between April 2019 and March 2020.

Travel information can be found via the Highways England East Twitter account at @HighwaysEAST or via www.highwaysengland.co.uk.