Locals get first look at long-awaited bypass

Cyclist James Youngs described the new road as "superb"
- Published
People living in a traffic-congested town said a new £47m bypass will make an "enormous difference" to the community.
For decades, Long Stratton in Norfolk has been a "pinch point" on the A140 - a crucial link between Ipswich and Norwich. A new section of carriageway to take vehicles around, not through, the town is due to open by the end of the year.
At the weekend, part of the new 2.4-mile (3.9-km) road was opened for a few hours so hundreds of locals could run, walk or cycle along it.
Long Stratton county councillor Alison Thomas said it was a "lovely day for the community to come together".
"It's a road we've been waiting for a very long time," added Thomas, a Conservative councillor.
"We get up to 24,000 cars per day going through [Long Stratton], mostly just passing through.
"This [bypass] will make a massive difference."

The 2.4-mile (3.9-km) bypass should be finished by the end of the year
Residents were able to try the new route between 11:00 BST and 15:00.
Among them was local cyclist James Youngs. He said it was "superb".
"With the amount of congestion that trundles through Long Stratton, I think it's going to bring immense benefits for the community as a whole," he added.
"It will make it a lot safer travelling through [as a cyclist] rather than living in fear of getting hit by a lorry."

Sarah Wratten said she had been waiting for the bypass to be built for decades
Sarah Wratten said: "I've lived in and around here for nearly 30 years, and I've been looking forward to a bypass for 30 years.
"It's a shame it isn't a dual carriageway, but at least we're not going to have traffic in the same way through the village."

People ran, walked and cycled along the road on Saturday
Bypass nears completion after almost 100 years
The Long Stratton bypass is nearing completion… after almost 100 years.
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