A47 Speed Limit Reduction Proposed for Safety in Norfolk

National Highways intends to lower the speed limit on the A47 in Norfolk, specifically the section connecting Acle and Great Yarmouth, from 60mph to 50mph. This change, anticipated within the coming months, is being implemented due to safety concerns. The agency reported 54 collisions on this stretch of road between 2017 and 2021, resulting in 138 injuries. The Local Democracy Reporting Service indicates that the reduced limit could be implemented as early as January. National Highways, the government entity overseeing the road, has issued invitations to various organizations and individuals to provide feedback on the proposals. The proposed 50mph limit would be enforced through average speed cameras, which utilize automatic number plate recognition technology to monitor vehicle speeds. During a Norfolk County Council meeting held this week, a National Highways spokesperson stated that an application for a traffic regulation order is required to formally reduce the speed limit. The plans for this 6.8-mile (11km) stretch of road have drawn objections from certain councillors. Conservative councillor Brian Long commented: “I appreciate why National Highways is putting in new speed limits and know it’s about safety, but Norfolk needs to do business with the rest of the country.“Having a road that is restricted in speed, place after place, is not the best solution. We need the entire road dualled. That is the one thing that would alleviate the need for speed restrictions and get traffic moving.”