The early stages of the long-awaited A11 dualling work - not really visible at road level - are captured in these new aerial photographs.

Work to construct the dual carriageway along the nine-mile traffic-laden single stretch of road between the Fiveways roundabout in Suffolk and Thetford is due to begin in January, finally completing the dualling of road between Norfolk and London

The pictures, by Mike Page, a pilot who donates money from his photographs to charity, show the A11 at Elveden, surrounded by Thetford Forest.

And another highlights the preparatory archaeological work near Thetford, which, as reported in the EDP, have uncovered artefacts dating back to the Bronze Age.

These include pottery, flint tools, coins and animal bones dating back to 4,000BC have been discovered, while evidence has also been found of settlements dating back to 1,500BC including a Roman farmstead.

Mr Page, from Strumpshaw, said: 'It's the first time I've seen the start of this one, though I've seen other roads being built. I like to get them at the beginning and then at various points throughout.'

The Highways Agency has said the new bypass and widening of the A11 will be completed by December 2014.

That will bring the significant benefits for the regional economy, road users and local people, that have been the subject of a 40-year campaign involving improving road safety and removing traffic bottlenecks.

People have a chance to learn more about the project at three public meetings later this month.

Members of the project team will be on hand to answer any questions on Thursday between 3pm and 8pm, Friday between 10am and 8pm, and Saturday between 10am and 3pm at Elveden Village Hall.

To find out more about the scheme and the exhibitions visit www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/a11-fiveways-to-thetford-improvement or contact the project team by calling the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000 or by emailing ha_info@highways.gsi.gov.uk.