Work to upgrade the last remaining stretch of single carriageway on the A11 towards Norwich has officially begun. Roads Minister Stephen Hammond said the scheme will be an important boost for the Norfolk economy, relieve congestion and improve the lives of local people blighted by traffic.

The £105M project between Mildenhall and Thetford will see 9km of route widened to dual carriageway standard and a 5km bypass built around the village of Elveden. Completion of the improvement is due in December next year.

“This improved road will be an important piece of new infrastructure for East Anglia,” the Minister said. “It is good news for the economy, will reduce journey times and the bypass around Elveden will be hugely beneficial from a safety point of view for local people.”

The Minister added that the A11 scheme is one of several road upgrades being considered by the Government in East Anglia. Start of works on the A11 was welcomed by councillors from both Suffolk and Norfolk county councils.

Highways Agency and its contractor Birse Civils have said that environmental and ecological considerations are being taken very seriously on the job. Thousands of trees will be planted to compensate for the loss of woodland where part of the route will pass and several crossings of the road are to be built for newts, badgers and bats.

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