Octavius Infrastructure has officially signed a contract with Norfolk County Council to construct the long-awaited £47 million Long Stratton Bypass.
The 3.9-kilometre single-carriageway highway scheme will allow drivers to reach the A140 without having to pass through Long Stratton, significantly reducing congestion in the village. The project includes the construction of three new roundabouts, two new junctions, and two overbridges, improving connectivity and traffic flow in the region.
Plans for a Long Stratton Bypass were first discussed 70 years ago, with multiple setbacks delaying progress over the decades. In September 2023, after years of anticipation, South Norfolk Council granted full planning permission, marking a major milestone for the project.
Norfolk County Council originally secured £26.2 million in funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) in summer 2021. However, in September 2022, projected costs increased from £37.4 million to £46.2 million, a 23.5% rise attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war, which drove up global material and labour prices.
The full business case for the Long Stratton Bypass has now been submitted to the government, estimating the final project cost at £46.9 million. With this contract awarded to Octavius Infrastructure, the long-delayed scheme is finally moving towards construction, promising improved transport links and economic benefits for the Norfolk region.
