Development consent has now been granted for the plan to transform a 1.6-mile single section of the A47 between Wansford and Sutton.

Work on the project could begin this spring with completion expected by winter 2024/25.

This scheme is one of six major improvement projects amounting to almost half a billion pounds of investment to deliver on the 115-mile section of the A47 between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth.

The first of these – a £17m upgrade to Guyhirn junction in Cambridgeshire – officially opened in May last year.

All six projects are designed to improve safety and reduce journey times on the A47, which is currently one of the country’s most dangerous A-roads.

The government currently faces legal challenges on three other National Highways projects on the A47 near Norwich.

Chris Griffin, Programme Leader for the A47 National Highways, said: “As we continue to work through the legal process for the schemes that have been challenged, we know from our recent public information events that improvements to the A47 are supported by local people.”