A11 road closure: When will the roadworks finish in Norfolk?

The work will enter its final phase on August 7 which will involve a phased reopening of all slip roads, with one lane of travel open in each direction on the carriageway.

But now, the project's initial completion date has been pushed back to a provisional date in September, with National Highways blaming heavy rainfall over the winter as well as last July's heatwave for the delay.

The delay has caused anger for motorists who rely on the busy route, as well as those living in nearby communities which have seen rat-running from drivers looking to avoid the road.

Slowed to 40mph crawl, the works have caused delays and disruption for people travelling between south Norfolk and Norwich for more than a year.

John Fuller, leader of South Norfolk Council, described the delay as "disappointing".

The £65m project involves the resurfacing of the road between Spooner Row and the Tuttles Interchange at Wymondham in both directions.

During the work, carriageways in both directions have been reduced to single-lane contraflows.

While the A11 has remained open for the most part, there have been occasions, including on some nights, when it has been closed and drivers have had to take diversions.

Slip road have also been closed off at various stages of the work.

A spokesman for National Highways said: "The key reason for the small delay in the completion of the scheme is weather.

"We originally aimed for a mid-summer completion date, but we set that target in January 2022.

"Since then we have had an extremely hot summer and a wet winter which has contributed to slower-than-expected progress.

"However, we are on track for a mid-September completion."