Norfolk is set to benefit from £26.2m in government funding to help construct the planned A140 Long Stratton Bypass, Roads Minister, Baroness Vere has announced.
The scheme will see a new 2.5-mile road built to the east of Long Stratton, ensuring faster and smoother journeys, while directly supporting plans for 1,800 new homes and the development of new employment land in the area.
The bypass is designed to significantly ease congestion through the town, reducing noise and air pollution, while providing better accessibility to the town centre for cyclists and pedestrians.
This investment comes as part of the government’s drive to build back better from the Covid-19 pandemic and boost transport links across the country.
Commenting, Baroness Vere said:
“This new scheme will provide a huge boost to Long Stratton and Norfolk by ensuring faster, smoother journeys, cutting congestion and noise pollution and allowing the construction of 1,800 new homes in the area.
“This government is dedicated to levelling up across the country and we will continue to support regional economies by investing in vital local transport projects like this one.
Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, Councillor Martin Wilby added:
“This is fantastic news and a most timely announcement from government, particularly in view of the Covid-19 recovery.
“The A140 through Long Stratton is a real pinch point that affects thousands of road users and the people who live and work in Long Stratton on a daily basis.
“We want to deliver this vital scheme as soon as possible to cut congestion, help the local economy and vastly improve this major regionally important route linking Norwich and Ipswich.
“The bypass is set to create hundreds of new jobs and homes, open up improvements for cycling and walking and solve traffic and transport issues local people have been facing for more than a generation.”
Currently, journeys in and out of Long Stratton are often very slow along the narrow route into the town centre.
The new bypass, with speed limits of between 50-60mph, will significantly reduce journey times and will include three new roundabout junctions, as well as a new footbridge to allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross safely.
The full cost of the scheme will be £37.4m, with Norfolk County Council securing £9.2m on top of the government’s £26.2m investment.
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