Another 7.5km of Norwich Northern Distributor Road will be delivered just in time for Christmas, it has been confirmed.

The new stretch of A1270 dual carriageway, between the A140 Cromer Road and the A1151 Wroxham Road, will be open to all traffic by 6am on Thursday, December 21. Better weather over the last few days has allowed the completion of white lines and road studs and other outstanding works, the joint Balfour Beatty and Norfolk County Council construction team said. Inspections by the construction team have confirmed that remaining minor works will be finished in time.

Stuart Clancy, vice-chairman of Norfolk County Council's Environment, Development & Transport Committee, said having two thirds of the road open by Christmas was a 'tremendous achievement'.

'That's eight and a half miles of dual carriageway helping people get around, easing pressure on other routes and supporting businesses,' he said.

Ian Taylor, project manager for Norfolk County Council, said he was 'relieved'.

'A week ago the weather turned against us and for a while it seemed unlikely that we would make up the lost time,' he said. 'Since then, the team has pulled out all the stops, and it is a great credit to Balfour Beatty and our own staff that the next 7.5km of dual carriageway will be open before Christmas.

'Achieving this Christmas milestone is not just symbolic. At some key locations, such as the A140 Cromer Road, instead of several more weeks of disruption road users will be feeling more of the benefits of the new road.'

The new stretch of A1270 dual carriageway opening on Thursday adds a further 7.5km to the 6km, from the A1067 Fakenham Road to the A140 Cromer Road that opened in early November. The new stretch of the A1270 Norwich NDR includes;

Access under the A140, with two more slip roads completing connection of the two 'A' roads.

A roundabout where the dual carriageway turns around the northern corner of Norwich Airport.

The Woodlands Bridge, carrying Buxton Road, Spixworth, over the dual carriageway.

The North Walsham Road Roundabout, connecting the A1270 Norwich NDR with the B1150.

The Wroxham Road Roundabout, connecting the A1270 with the A1151 to Wroxham, Hoveton and the Broads.

The remaining 5.25km (3.3 miles) to Postwick is scheduled for completion in March 2018.