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Norfolk County Council’s leader has clashed publicly with one of the county’s best-known businessmen in a social media dispute over roadworks at one of Norfolk’s busiest junctions.
Kay Mason Billig, the Conservative leader of the council, has accused Marcus Pearcey of “enjoying his 15 minutes of fame” after he criticised the disruption caused by major works at the Thickthorn junction, where the A47 and A11 meet.
The businessman, known locally for his investments in Norfolk businesses, took to Facebook to share a video describing the ongoing works as “carnage” and a “misery” for motorists. He argued that the work should be carried out overnight to prevent gridlock and long tailbacks during rush hour.
In a pointed public response, Mrs Mason Billig commented directly on Mr Pearcey’s post, saying it was “easy to criticise” but that he would not be able to complete the roadworks any faster himself.
“Marcus Pearcey is enjoying his 15 minutes of fame,” she wrote. “It’s very easy to say things that are popular, but it’s much more difficult to build roads than he suggests. He wouldn’t be able to do it any quicker or easier.”
Mrs Mason Billig went on to point out that the Thickthorn project is managed by National Highways rather than the county council, and that her authority has “no control over” the work schedule.
The exchange has drawn widespread attention online, as the Thickthorn roadworks continue to cause significant disruption for commuters travelling in and out of Norwich. The £200 million project, which aims to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion at the busy junction, is expected to take several years to complete. Drivers are currently facing diversions, temporary traffic lights, and narrowed lanes, with completion not expected until spring 2029.
Mr Pearcey, who runs several businesses in Norfolk, replied directly to the council leader’s comment, saying: “I’m sorry I’ve upset you, it must be difficult to be held accountable by real people.”
He continued: “My 15 mins of fame kept Blofield open for Xmas whilst you did nothing for the people who elected you. I’ll keep investing in Norfolk creating hundreds of jobs. You sit in an ivory tower and do nothing for the people. It would have been nice to think you’d want to engage with an independent Norfolk businessman. Very disappointed.”
The businessman’s comments referred to previous roadworks in Blofield, which were postponed after local pushback that he claims to have influenced through his online campaigning. His latest videos about the Thickthorn works have drawn thousands of views, with many residents voicing frustration about the ongoing disruption.
Mrs Mason Billig’s response marks the latest example of her combative approach on social media. Earlier this year, she faced public criticism after sharing a Facebook post that showed a picture of a steak dinner captioned, “wonder what all the poor people are doing?” That post attracted dozens of complaints and was described by some residents as “insensitive.”
The Thickthorn dispute has reignited debate about the relationship between local politicians and the public on social media, particularly over major infrastructure projects.
While Mrs Mason Billig insists that the project’s timeline and management fall under National Highways, many Norfolk residents remain frustrated by the lack of visible progress. Motorists have reported long queues stretching back towards Cringleford and Hethersett, with journey times into Norwich doubling during peak periods.
The National Highways project is designed to replace the current roundabout with a new two-level junction, aiming to separate local and through traffic. Officials have said that the improvements will reduce congestion and improve safety once complete, but the three-year construction period has already sparked widespread irritation.
For Mr Pearcey, who has positioned himself as a voice for frustrated drivers and local businesses, the public row with the council leader has amplified his profile. His Facebook posts regularly attract hundreds of comments from residents expressing their anger at the delays and lack of communication.
Whether the exchange will prompt any change to the project’s schedule remains to be seen. National Highways has not commented on the online dispute, and Norfolk County Council has reiterated that it does not have authority over the Thickthorn works.
For now, drivers in and around Norwich can expect continued disruption for the foreseeable future. And on social media, the debate over who bears responsibility for Norfolk’s most notorious traffic bottleneck shows no signs of easing.
