Work begins on long awaited £47m bypass around town

The A140 which passes through Long Stratton is the main road linking Norwich and Ipswich

Work has begun on a new £47m bypass which campaigners had spent decades fighting for.

The A140 at Long Stratton, Norfolk, on the main road between Ipswich and Norwich, had become known as a traffic "pinch point".

Last year, the government approved a 2.5 mile (3.9km) bypass around the town with preparatory work having taken place over the past few months.

Norfolk County Council said the road, which was set to open at the end of 2025, would provide an "economic boost to our whole region".

Graham Plant, a Conservative councillor and cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport at Norfolk County Council, said: "This is fantastic news for long-suffering commuters and residents in Long Stratton.

"The bypass is set to create hundreds of new jobs and homes, open up improvements for cycling and walking, and solve transport issues local people have been facing for more than a generation."

The new bypass will be a single carriageway around the east of the town

The council confirmed last week that the full business case for the bypass had been approved by the government, which would fund the majority of the project.

Alison Thomas, a Conservative county councillor for Long Stratton, added: "Having campaigned for a bypass for Long Stratton since 1996 I am delighted to see the main works get underway.

"Our role now will be to ensure the project is delivered as soon as possible to improve the safety and well-being of all those living, working or travelling through Long Stratton."

Octavius, the construction firm contracted to carry out the works, said it planned to keep "disruption to a minimum".

However, the council confirmed that Church Lane, Edge's Lane, Hall Lane and Parkers Lane, were expected to remain closed for the duration of the project.