dual carriageway

UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has opened the upgraded A11 dual carriageway.

The upgrade required an investment of £105m and has improved more than nine extra miles of carriageway between the M11 and Norwich.

The opening is also expected to bring a significant boost to the economy, while reducing congestion and improving road safety in the east of England.

Widening 5.5 miles of the A11 and the construction of a new 3.6-mile bypass around the village of Elveden is said to have been part of the UK Highways Agency scheme between the Fiveways roundabout and Thetford.

"This government has a long-term plan to secure UK’s future and our £15bn roads programme is demonstration of that."

After receiving additional funding from Suffolk County Council, a new underpass near the war memorial has also been built.

Patrick McLoughlin said: "This major upgrade to the A11 is part of the most ambitious, far-reaching roads programme for decades.

"It will not only benefit those who use the road every day but create jobs and opportunities, benefiting hardworking families across the east of England.

"This government has a long-term plan to secure UK’s future and our £15bn roads programme is demonstration of that."

Said to be part of the £3.3bn investment announced in the last spending review period, the A11 upgrade began in January 2013.

The government announced on 1 December 2014 that an additional £15bn will be invested over next parliament to further improve the road network.

Image: A11 dual carriageway. Photo: courtesy of UK Government.