The estimated �131 million scheme to finally widen the last single carriageway section of the A11 between Norwich and the M11 has been given the go-ahead.

Norwich is currently the largest city in the UK to not be linked to the rest of the country by dual carriageway.

But work to change that will go ahead after a decision taken under the Highways Act 1980 was confirmed by government roads minister Mike Penning this morning.

He said: 'I am pleased to announce that this vital scheme has completed its final planning stages and can now proceed to construction.

'When complete, a nine-mile stretch of the busy A11 between Fiveways roundabout and Thetford will be widened - completing the missing link of dual carriageway between Norwich and M11.

'This scheme has very high levels of public support. Road users will benefit from reduced congestion, faster, more reliable journeys and improved safety on the route which is a major link between the East of England and London.

'Our analysis shows that every pound invested in this scheme will deliver more than �17 of benefits to the economy - an extremely high rate of return.'

The scheme will provide for the improvement of the A11 to dual-carriageway standard between the Fiveways Roundabout at Barton Mills near Mildenhall, in Suffolk, and the southern roundabout of the Thetford bypass.

This will comprise 5.5 miles of widening between Fiveways and Chalk Hall Farm and a 3.6-mile widening of the Elveden bypass.

The new road will also bring improved visibility on the approach to Fiveways roundabout, an underpass to take the B1112 - which runs between Mildenhall Road and Lakenheath - beneath the new road and the B1106 will pass over the new Elveden Bypass at a two-level junction east of Center Parcs,

The scheme has also been designed to minimise the impact of the improved road on the surrounding Breckland – a designated area of Important Landscape Quality and Special Landscape Area.

For reaction and more information on the confirmed plans, see tomorrow's newspaper.