Footbridge brings bypass a step closer

A £47m bypass that campaigners spent decades fighting for has moved a step closer following the arrival of a footbridge, council bosses say.

The bypass around Long Stratton, Norfolk, is due to open before the end of 2025.

Norfolk County Council says the arrival of the footbridge, which will cross the bypass, is a "major milestone" in the construction the new road.

Officials say a crane has lifted a 42m (138ft) steel span - the base for a walking and cycling route between Fairfield Close and Church Lane - into place.

Ministers approved the 2.5 mile (3.9km) bypass in 2023 after motorists said the A140, the main road between Ipswich and Norwich, had become "pinch point" at Long Stratton.

Norfolk council bosses say the bypass will be an "economic boost" to the region.

The footbridge base had been made in Kent, delivered in two sections then welded together, council officials said.

A 750-tonne mobile crane had this week lifted the span into place on top of reinforced concrete "abutments", the council said.

A council spokesman said the development was a "major milestone" in the creation of the bypass.

He said the footbridge was expected to come into public use during the summer.

"It's fantastic to see the speed at which the new bypass is coming together and this is a really exciting step forward in its construction," said Grahame Bygrave, director of highways, transport and waste at the council.

"The new road will reduce congestion in the town, benefitting local residents and our wider economy for years to come."

Jamie Harrison, a director at Octavius Infrastructure, which is building the bypass for the council, added: "The project is currently progressing well in all areas and with the warmer weather approaching we remain confident of delivering everything on time."

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