Construction of new Fakenham roundabout gets underway

Construction of a new roundabout on the Fakenham bypass is due to get underway next month.

The roundabout will provide access for the 'Fakenham Urban Extension', which includes the building of up to 950 new homes, a new primary school, hotel and community centre as part of a public and private sector partnership.

Preliminary works are scheduled to start on Monday 30 September ahead of the main construction from early October, with completion expected in May 2025.

To allow work to be completed safely a reduced speed limit and two-way traffic lights will be in place on the A148 for the duration of the works, with Wells Road and Water Moor Lane closed to limit disruption on the bypass.

Some night closures of the A148 will also be required to complete the project with further details to be published as works progress.

Councillor Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport said: "Construction of this roundabout on behalf of North Norfolk District Council will facilitate significant economic growth in the area and has been planned through the winter months to avoid the busy tourist season and minimise disruption to the road network".

North Norfolk District Council, worked in collaboration with Norfolk County Council to secure a grant of £1.8m towards the design and construction of the roundabout, with all additional costs being met by the landowner Trinity College Cambridge.

The land was allocated for development in the North Norfolk Local Plan in 2011 and originally received outline planning permission in October 2019, which included the general location and design of the roundabout.  

Cllr Tom FitzPatrick, county councillor for the Fakenham Division said: "This roundabout is being built to facilitate NNDC's plans for the construction of up to 950 new homes and a hotel, as well as a new primary school and a community centre to the north of Fakenham. Unfortunately, there will be a degree of disruption to traffic during its construction and I will be liaising with County Highways officers during this period to try to ensure that every effort is made to keep this to a minimum." 

Cllr Christopher Cushing, North Norfolk District Council's member for Lancaster North (Fakenham) as follows: "This is a significant milestone in the delivery of the Fakenham urban extension, and it would not have happened without NNDC driving this. I'm grateful to the planning officers and Highways managers whose hard work has made this happen. Some issues around 'Nutrient Neutrality' may still need to be resolved to enable the housing development to proceed, however, this is the key first step."

• Construction cost is estimated in the region of £3.6m
• The £1.8m Grant comprises £900k from North Norfolk District Council and the other £900k is split between the Norfolk Strategic Fund & Norfolk Business Rates Pool
• The land allocated in the North Norfolk Local Plan in 2011, is known as Site Allocation F01 - Fakenham: Land north of Rudham Stile Lane
• More information on the Fakenham Urban Extension is available: Fakenham urban extension (north-norfolk.gov.uk)