Major safety boost for A47 in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk
A key route linking the East of England with the rest of the country will benefit from a new scheme which will make the road safer for road users and those living nearby.
Work started today (Mon 24 Feb) on improvements to the A47 designed to cut road traffic collisions as National Highways works to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the strategic road network.
The safety scheme features the installation of 20 new average speed safety cameras and associated signage along the A47 between Peterborough and King’s Lynn. As part of the improvements, speed limits will be permanently reduced at the following locations:
• A47 Welland Road roundabout to Oversley Lodge roundabout will change from 60mph to 50mph
• Thorney New Cut roundabout to Thorney Toll will change from 60mph to 50mph
• Thorney Toll village will change from 60mph to 40mph
• Thorney Toll to Guyhirn will change from 60mph to 50mph
• Guyhirn to Wisbech will change from 60mph to 50mph
• Shoreboat Roundabout to Pullover roundabout will change from 60mph to 50mph
Work on the £6m project is expected to be completed by this winter. The first phase of work between Wisbech and King’s Lynn is scheduled for completion in May. This will be followed by Guyhirn to Wisbech between May and July and Peterborough to Guyhirn between July and November.
Martin Fellows, National Highways Regional Director for the East region, said: “Safety is, and will always be, our number one priority, and we understand how important improved safety is to those who use this route as well as those who live nearby.
“Our work has identified sections of the A47 where we believe safety improvements can be made. These changes to the speed limit aim to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions which helps keep traffic flowing and creates safer roads for everyone.”
To minimise disruption to road users the works will be carried out on weekday nights, usually between 8pm - 6am, weather permitting. Overnight closures will be in place, and drivers should allow additional time to complete their journeys.
Diversion route for the first phase of works (A47 Wisbech to King's Lynn)
• During overnight closures between Wisbech and King’s Lynn traffic travelling eastbound on the A47 will be diverted onto A1101 at Wisbech Roundabout.
• Follow the A1101 and A1122 to the A10 to rejoin the A47 at Hardwick Roundabout.
• Traffic travelling westbound will follow the same diversion as above, but in reverse.
To carry out the work safely all laybys between Elm High Road, Wisbech and Pullover Roundabout, King’s Lynn will be closed for the duration the works.
Further details of works and diversions as the scheme progresses will be available on our dedicated East Region safety scheme page of the National Highways website.
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:
Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiriesOption 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)
