A47 Norwich Thickthorn revamp contractor to be changed

Highways bosses insist the need to appoint a new firm to build the revamped Thickthorn junction, which could cost up to £100m, will not stop work from starting next spring.

Dr Andrew Boswell (Image: Archant)

But environmental campaigner Dr Andrew Boswell, who hopes his appeal to the High Court will block the project, said it could be a sign that the work's cost has spiralled - fuelling his argument that the scheme, on the edge of Norwich, should be stopped.

National Highways, the government company responsible for the A47, confirmed its contractor Galliford Try would not be continuing on the project and that the multi-million-pound contract is being retendered.

It is not clear whether the contractor chose to walk away or whether highways bosses took the decision to retender.

Thickthorn roundabout (Image: Sonya Duncan)

National Highways said the reason why the Leicester-based construction company would no longer be building the scheme was "commercially sensitive", while Galliford Try refused to comment.

However, National Highways added it had a responsibility to ensure projects represent good value for money, which sometimes means it has to change how it delivers its work.

Highways bosses said Galliford Try would continue with the preparatory work ahead of the start of construction.

But then a new contractor - yet to be appointed - will take over with the building work.

A National Highways spokesman said: "Galliford Try will continue to work with National Highways on the redevelopment of the A47/A11 Thickthorn junction, near Norwich, delivering a package of preconstruction works for the project.

"At that point, the contract with Galliford Try will come to an organised and managed end, with a new contractor taking over the construction element.

National Highways says Thickthorn roundabout work will still start in spring next year (Image: Highways England)

"National Highways would like to thank Galliford Try for their work on the development phase of this project.

"While the construction contractor will be new, the plans to redevelop the junction remain the same with major work on the project expected to start - as planned - next spring."

Galliford Try also has the contracts for the work to dual the A47 between Blofield and North Burlingham and from Easton to North Tuddenham, but those remain in place.

But environmental consultant Dr Boswell, who has mounted legal challenges over the Thickthorn plans, said he believed the retendering process would mean the costs would increase.

He said: "I can only speculate, but I think it will almost certainly mean the price will increase further. We cannot afford this, particularly given the climate emergency."

The plans for the Thickthorn junction (Image: Highways England)

The plans include a new slip road off the A11 northbound, which will take motorists beneath both roads before re-joining traffic on the A47 heading towards Great Yarmouth - eliminating the need to use the Thickthorn roundabout.

READ MORE: Norfolk A47 archaeology work during dualling decision wait

The changes would also see a segregated left-hand turn added to those travelling eastbound on the A47, a new footbridge and a fourth lane on the southern part of the junction.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Transport secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan agreed in October last year that the scheme should go ahead.

She agreed with the recommendation of planning inspector Matthew Shrigley - made after a public inquiry - to grant permission for the project.

But construction work was put on hold after Dr Boswell, a former Green city and county councillor, challenged the legality of decisions over Thickthorn plus two other A47 schemes.

Mrs Justice Thornton (Image: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary)

The matter went to the High Court. But following a two-day hearing, Mrs Justice Thornton dismissed Dr Boswell's argument that the cumulative carbon impact of the schemes had not been properly considered.

However, Dr Boswell is appealing that decision, which could lead to another High Court hearing, if the courts agree to hear the appeal.

In the meantime, preparatory work on all three A47 schemes continues, including archaeological surveys.

Chris Griffin, programme leader for National Highways in the East, said: "These are the first steps as we work towards full construction.

"As well as the diversion of utility pipes and cables you might also see us installing fencing and beginning to construct our compounds - these will be the bases we will operate from when major building work begins."

ANALYSIS

It was way back in 2014 that David Cameron, who was prime minister, announced that £300m would be spent on major changes to the A47 in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

Since then, there have been no fewer than four more prime ministers in succession to Mr Cameron and yet work on the Norfolk schemes has yet to begin.

And, for those who want changes to be made to a road which is one of the most crucial for the county, alarm bells are surely ringing with the latest development.

Galliford Try, the contactor selected to carry out dualling work between North Tuddenham and Easton, plus Blofield to North Burlingham, will now not be carrying out construction on the third scheme it had won the contract for - the revamp of the Thickthorn junction on the edge of Norwich.

Frustratingly, given this is public money which will be used to construct that scheme, neither the government's roads company National Highways, nor Galliford Try will comment on the reasons why that situation has arisen.

Citing commercial confidentiality, it makes it impossible to know if Gallford Try decided to walk away or if National Highways pushed them.

Either way, it means National Highways now has to appoint a new contractor to do the work.

The organisation insists it will not delay the start of construction, earmarked for spring next year.

But it raises questions about what has occurred here - and whether the cost of the project has or will go up as a result of this sudden change in direction.

Several months when work could have been done on Thickthorn - and the other dualling schemes - have already been lost because legal action by campaigner Dr Andrew Boswell - meant construction could not get under way.

And, with Dr Boswell, as is his right, seeking to appeal a High Court judge's decision to dismiss his case, there could yet be further delays if the court does decide to hear his case.

There are those who sympathise with Dr Boswell's arguments - that road building is not the way forward as the world's climate warms further.

But, there are also those who just want this long-delayed work to proceed without further ado.