People and businesses in Dereham are bracing themselves for a month of traffic disruption due to pavement reconstruction works. 

The works mean vehicles will not be able to travel from the town centre towards the A47.

Norfolk County Council said the pavement on the north side of Yaxham Road between Greens and Station roads had to be rebuilt, but there are concerns over the impact of the works, which will run over the busy Easter period.  

Dereham Times: A map showing the planned roadworks on Yaxham Road, and the diversion route for those travelling south from the town centre towards the A47A map showing the planned roadworks on Yaxham Road, and the diversion route for those travelling south from the town centre towards the A47 (Image: Open StreetMap)

From Monday, March 20, the southbound lane of Yaxham Road from Tavern Lane to the mini-roundabout at the junction with Sation Road will be closed.

Paul Sandford, the landlord of the Railway Tavern in Yaxham Road, said it could turn out to be a “nightmare” for his and other businesses. 

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Mr Sandford said: “Easter is our busiest weekend of the year. It will be an absolute nightmare but it’s one of those things you can’t do anything about.

"Hopefully, people will still support us but it’s not ideal in the current climate.”

Dereham Times: Paul SandfordPaul Sandford (Image: Newsquest)

Harry Clarke, Breckland councillor for Dereham Withburga, said he was also worried about the impact of the works and questioned whether it could have been done in a less disruptive way. 

He said: “It’s going to have a spill-over effect on other areas.”

Dereham Times: Harry ClarkeHarry Clarke (Image: Supplied)

The county council will also close the southbound lane of the residential Baxter Road so motorists cannot use it as a diversion.

Instead, a detour route will be in place along Station Road, along Norwich Road, down Mattishall Road and back along the A47 to the Yaxham Road turn-off. 

Dereham Times: Philip DuiganPhilip Duigan (Image: Supplied)

Phillip Duigan, who is both a town and Breckland councillor, said Yaxham Road was one of the trickiest places in Norfolk to manage traffic.

He said the interests of both pedestrians and motorists had to be balanced.

Dereham Times: Yaxham Road in DerehamYaxham Road in Dereham (Image: Google StreetView)