Pressure is being brought to bear on the government to bankroll a fresh study to help make the case for full dualling of the A47 in Norfolk and Waveney.
Politicians and Norfolk County Council officials met roads minister Guy Opperman in London to push for the Department for Transport (DfT) to pay for a study exploring the economic benefits of getting all 115 miles of the road dualled.
The Acle Straight (Image: Mike Page)
Leaders say that study, which would be carried out by National Highways and the A47 Alliance, would assist in efforts to get more of the road earmarked for dualling.
Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure (Image: Norfolk County Council)
Graham Plant, county council cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure and chairman of the A47 Alliance, attended the meeting earlier this month.
He said: "This was an extremely helpful meeting to discuss the next trunk roads programme and push for a commitment for a longer-term investment plan for the A47.
"It was also an opportunity to raise our request for a DfT-funded study which will provide a strategic evidence base of the A47 and explore how it can best serve the needs of the economy, local communities and the environment.
Graham Plant, Guy Opperman and George Freeman (Image: Keval Nathwani)
"It is important we maintain a dialogue with government ministers and officials ahead of the announcement of the trunk road programme for 2025 to 2030."
George Freeman (Image: Archant 2018)
George Freeman, Conservative MP for Mid Norfolk, who previously wrote to Mr Opperman calling for the study, was also at the meeting, along with officers from County Hall.
Guy Opperman
Mr Freeman said he had invited Mr Opperman to visit Norfolk to see the situation for himself.
The A47 Alliance, made up of councils, business leaders and transport groups, commissioned consultants last year to look into dualling the remaining single carriageway sections between Lowestoft and Peterborough.
But, in a blow for supporters of full-dualling, that study revealed traffic had fallen in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
It focussed on possible journey time and accident benefits, rather than wider economic benefits - which the mooted new study would explore.
Thickthorn roundabout (Image: Mike Page)
Progress on three permitted A47 schemes - Thickthorn Roundabout, plus dualling between Blofield and North Burlingham and Easton to North Tuddenham - is in limbo.
Construction has been delayed amid a legal challenge by former Green county councillor Dr Andrew Boswell against government approval for those projects.
He is waiting to find out if the Supreme Court will hear his final appeal.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel