As promised in my update last week, I have been in touch with National Highways about the dangerous A47 Necton/Dunham Junction to find out where they have gotten to with their work to deliver much needed safety improvements to the location.

I am pleased to report that National Highways are, finally, in the final stages of their detailed designs – with work to widen the Tuns Road and Dunham Road Junctions expected to begin this summer. (Progress had been delayed slightly due to the need to address certain land ownership issues around the Dunham Road Junction).

I am assured that Necton Parish Council, along with the local district and county councillors, have been receiving regular updates – and have seen the design proposals. I understand that National Highways will also update them once the final detailed designs are ready for approval.

Turning now to questions around the speed limit on the stretch of road that this problem junction crosses, National Highways have now confirmed their plan to reduce the existing 50mph speed limit to 40mph. Conversations with key stakeholders, including Norfolk Police, are ongoing and I am told that, provided the proposed speed limit reduction successfully passes through the required statutory procedures, the new 40mph speed limit will come into force later in the summer.

Rest assured, I will continue to follow progress closely, supporting the work of the Parish Council and local district and county councillors to ensure these crucial safety improvements are delivered on time, and making sure that National Highways consider further works if they are deemed necessary.