MP visits A47 improvement scheme

Highways England is improving the A47 in six places between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth as part of a £450 million investment, with work on the Guyhirn roundabout getting underway in February.

One of the other improvements is dualling the road between Wansford and Sutton.

Conservative MP Mr Barclay, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: “With over 20,000 vehicles using Guyhirn roundabout each day this investment will make a material difference to residents across Fenland and East Cambridgeshire and comes at the crucial time as we build back better from the Covid pandemic.”

Peter Mumford, executive director of major projects for Highways England, said: “Guyhirn is the first of a package of six projects we’re doing on the 115 mile stretch of the A47 between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth.

“Together, these projects will convert almost eight miles of single carriageway into dual carriageway and will improve key junctions along the A47 road by the end of 2024.”

Up to 20 per cent of the 20,000 vehicles that use the roundabout daily are lorries. The improvement scheme will reduce congestion, making journeys safer and smoother for drivers.

Matt Stafford, East regional delivery director for Highways England, added: “We started work at Guyhirn back in February 2021 and the main construction started in April. Guyhirn is a key junction on the A47 which connects people and businesses in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk through to Kings Lynn and the A1(M).

“This stretch of road connects communities and services in this rural location. Unfortunately, the roundabout currently has high levels of congestion during peak hours which is because of the lack of lane space and the poor visibility for drivers as they approach the roundabout. Our changes aim to reduce that congestion, improve journey times and increase safety.”

The improvements at Guyhirn will see the roundabout increased to two lanes on all approaches, as well as an extra lane over the River Nene Bridge. There will be two new crossing points for pedestrians, linked by an improved route. Bridge maintenance will be completed at the same time to minimise road closures.

Vegetation clearance has been completed at the roundabout. The trees removed have been chipped and with the new tree planting will be used to facilitate natural habitats on the site. Cut logs were made available for local residents.

Road layout changes have been completed in the early stages to reduce disruption while roadworks are ongoing. There are a series of closures planned, all overnight, with clearly signed diversion routes in place, to minimise disruption.