It was designed as two straight sections, connected by a bend halfway along which included a branch road between Seven Mile House and Halvergate.

[4][5] Tolls were removed from the road in 1861, though they remained on the Yarmouth Suspension Bridge over the River Bure into the town centre until 1920.

It subsequently became popular with boaters on the Norfolk Broads as it sat directly between the Acle Straight and the River Bure and had private moorings.

In 1908, a deep pile was planned but was abandoned after testing found the ground was stable only up to a depth of 11 feet (3.4 m).

[4] As it runs through the middle of uninhabited wetlands, there is no practical alternative route, and detours can be up to 30 miles (48 km).