The visit, a year on from when funding was announced, celebrates the progress being made on this key junction between the A47 and the A11 near Norwich, which will improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and support growth in the region.
Two new large underpasses directly underneath the A47 and A11 carriageways will provide a new free-flow link road, reducing congestion by removing around 12,000 vehicles from the roundabout each day.
This will mean faster, more reliable journeys, improved access to Norwich Hospital and Norwich Research Park, increased capacity for future traffic growth, and improvements to this important trade route to the eastern ports. The work is crucial for nearby housing developments in Cringleford and Wymondham where more than 3,000 homes are being built.
A new road is also being built with a bridge over the A11 between Cantley Lane South and Norwich Road, and a new footbridge over the A47 to the east of the junction will open up new routes for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Minister Lightwood visited the site to see first-hand the scale of the project. He said: "I'm delighted to be here in Norwich, to mark the start of works on National Highways' junction upgrade, improving transport connectivity for the whole region.
“These new underpasses will not only mean faster journeys, but also better connecting people and businesses to new jobs, housing and ports. This is crucial for growth in Norwich and East Anglia, and the country as a whole."
James Corker, Infrastructure Divisional Director at Skanska UK, said: “Today marks an important milestone for everyone involved in delivering this transformational upgrade at Thickthorn. Our teams are bringing world class engineering expertise to a complex programme of works on a live junction, from constructing two major underpasses to creating new bridges and link roads that will improve journeys for thousands of people every day.
"We’re proud to be working in partnership with National Highways to build infrastructure that supports growth, strengthens regional connections and leaves a lasting positive legacy for the community.”
The project that has taken months of preparation, from shifting earth to archaeological and environmental works and moving utilities and drainage, all while minimising disruption by keeping the A47 and A11 open in both directions. Our project team will dig down several metres, removing 640,000 tonnes of earth in total to create two new underpasses.
Colin Bird, Director of Enhancements at National Highways, said: “Motorways and major A roads play a key role in keeping the UK economy moving, carrying a third of all traffic and two thirds of freight. This major project will transform journeys in and out of the region, boosting growth, reducing congestion, and improving safety.
“It's a feat of engineering as we are creating two new underpasses, two new bridges, a local link road and a new slip road, and undertaking deep excavations, earthworks, and utility diversions – all whilst keeping the roads open for traffic where we can.”
In addition to improving the A47, several environmental improvements will be made including over 150 boxes for wildlife. Trees and hedgerows will also be planted to replace those removed to facilitate the scheme. Around 800 metres of environmental fencing will be created too, to protect wildlife.
The project will have more than 300 people working on site and will provide a legacy by upskilling local people, therefore boosting future employment prospects. There are 30 subcontractors on site too currently, mostly from the local area who work on everything from electrics to earthworks, with several apprentices and trainees too learning trades.
The Thickthorn project is part of more than half a billion pounds of investment in road infrastructure in the region. To the east of Norwich, a dualling project at Blofield is nearing completion and to the west a dualling project at Tuddenham is well underway.
The scheme is also supporting the Greater Norwich City Deal, attracting more businesses to operate in Norwich and is expected to create over 44,000 homes, 33,000 new jobs and 360 additional hectares of new commercial land by 2038. It is part of the Government’s commitment to grow and renew our national infrastructure.
The project is set for completion by spring 2028.