Work on part of the road which had become pot-holed, near the Warham junction, was expected to take two days.

But the job was completed before lunchtime - sparing half-term visitors lengthy diversions.

Dave Barley, Norfolk County Council’s surfacing engineer, said: “We knew this closure was going to cause problems for local people and businesses, so our contractor Lafarge Tarmac pulled out all the stops to get this done.

“We had to allow two days because there may have been more patching needed to the underlying layers before we resurfaced. We were also lucky with the weather, which is very uncertain in February.

“This stretch of the A149 needed resurfacing to prevent potholes and other problems, so the work had to be done.

“The good news is that this stretch of the A149 is now be in good condition for Easter and the main summer season, and for a number of years to come.”

Marie Strong, county councillor for Wells, said: “I would like to express my gratitude to the contractors who did their utmost to get the work done in a day – and were successful. I have already been contacted by several people who are also pleased that the resurfacing was completed so quickly.”

The work is close to the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway. Its managing director Nick Champion feared it would disrupt the attraction’s half term trade.

“I received a call this morning from the Highways team saying the work had been rushed through and was now complete after only one day,” he said.

“Can I just express my thanks that the call was made and that the work was completed early. We did lose business yesterday but thankfully today is so far busy.”

White lines were not restored yesterday, but these can be put down without the need for a further road closure.