STUDY FINDS THAT A ROUNDABOUT
COULD BE THE KEY TO IMPROVING SAFETY
ON THE A47 AT HONINGHAM
A feasibility study carried out by the Highways Agency
has found that a roundabout at the A47/C539 Mattishall
Road junction is the preferred option for improving
safety on the A47 at Honingham in Norfolk.
The Agency will now carry out a detailed design for
the roundabout option, which is estimated to cost
around £2m. This further work will also confirm
its exact location at the Mattishall Road junction,
and determine if the Agency needs to acquire additional
land to build the roundabout.
If the roundabout can be built within the Highways
Agency’s boundary then the work could start
in 2008/9.
Ranjit Mistry, Highways Agency A47 Route Performance
Manager, said:
“The Agency is determined to improve safety
on the A47 and we’re working hard to deliver
the safety improvement work as quickly as possible.
“The option for building a roundabout at the
junction came out as a clear winner when looked at
against other options, such as traffic lights or a
grade-separated junction.
“It is now up to us to arrange for detailed
design work, including a public consultation and exhibitions
for members of the public and our stakeholders to
view and comment on the scheme. If we do need to acquire
additional land outside our own highway boundary then
the relevant statutory procedures will be followed.
“We’re continuing to work very closely
with our key stakeholders, including Norfolk County
Council and Norfolk Police, to ensure that the scheme
keeps on target.”
Norfolk County Councillor Adrian Gunson, Chairman
of the A47 Alliance, said: “I welcome the announcement
of the work on a detailed design for a roundabout
on the A47 at the Mattishall Road junction.”
The Highways Agency recently finished laying the
high-friction surfacing at the Mattishall Road C539
junction, which has provided a quieter and improved
road surface for drivers.
This summer the Agency will be installing two vehicle-activated
signs on the A47 to alert drivers approaching the
Mattishall Road junction.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the
Department for Transport. It manages, maintains and
improves England’s motorways and trunk roads
on behalf of the Secretary of State.
2. A Local Network Management Scheme (LNMS) introducing
safety improvements of signing, lining and red surfacing
within centre hatching was introduced in 2003 over
a length of the A47 that covers the junction with
Mattishall Road.
3. An initial study into the accident into the accident
on 3 October 2005 started on 4 October and was completed
on 9 November. It recommended a Further Investigation
Study be undertaken. This has been undertaken by an
independent safety engineer and looked at possible
safety measures and improvements on the A47 at Honingham.
The study was completed in July 2006, with comments
from the coroner’s inquest in to the death of
David Jackson taken on board.
4. Since June 2006 the Highways Agency has carried
out traffic modelling and assessment work at both
Mattishall Road and Berry’s Lane/Wood Lane to
assist in taking forward the short-term and longer-term
improvement schemes.
5. Following consultation with the Norfolk County
Council, and due to the anticipated impact on the
local road network, the temporary closure of the Mattishall
using right-turn bans with a permitted left-turn exit
from the A47 will not be implemented as a short-term
safety measure.
6. In 2006/07 the Agency allocated £95,000 for
work on the A47 Honingham scheme, this included the
traffic monitoring surveys, resurfacing work and the
feasibility study. In 2007/08 the Agency has allocated
£0.5m for the design and preparation of the
safety improvement scheme, including consultation
and public exhibitions. Further funding will be available
to start construction in 2008/09.
