On Friday at Barton Mills village hall, residents had the chance to see a 3-D virtual reality film of what it would be like to travel along the upgraded road.

Improvements will include the widening of the A11 between Barton Mills and Thetford, the B1112 becoming an underpass at the Fiveways roundabout and a bypass for Elveden.

The Highways Agency, which is hosting the exhibitions, is expected to publish draft orders and an environmental statement on the road's upgrading this autumn, which could lead to a later public inquiry depending on the number and nature of any objections.

Roger Hawkins, project manager for the Higways Agency, said the work could begin as early as 2010/11 if given the go-ahead by the Department for Transport and would take two years to complete.

Please note: The images in the film show what the area could look like immediately after construction before the surrounding landscape has had time to grow back.