For 30 years, Norfolk has campaigned for A47 dualling.

I, myself, have been on the case for 15 years, working with fellow Norfolk MPs, the A47 Alliance and the EDP – and was delighted to get the then Prime Minister to Mid Norfolk back in 2014 to agree the next phase of A47 improvements.

But we’re still awaiting the North Tuddenham-Easton dualling and Thickthorn Roundabout improvement works – as well as full dualling of the A47 from Lowestoft in the East to the A1 in Cambridgeshire to the West.

I have been very vocal in opposing Dr Andrew Boswell and his fellow eco-campaigners as they continue to try and block these vital improvement projects. (See more details here). However, even as these projects are finally delivered, we must go further. Only with full dualling of the entire A47 will we be able to unlock Norfolk (and the East)’s full economic potential – and make the most improvement to safety along the route.

That’s why I have co-signed a joint-MP letter to the Roads Minister Guy Opperman – making clear our support for the Alliance and Norfolk County Council’s proposals for a joint-study with National Highways that specifically looks at the challenges and opportunities the A47 presents to our Norfolk businesses and communities, as well as to outside investment, so that we can strengthen the Business Case for delivering full dualling.

See our letter below.

I am determined to do all I can to help our region get the investment it needs to improve this key road and unlock enormous growth that will fuel new jobs and opportunities, and investment, in our local communities.

That’s why I’m also going further and writing to the Roads Minister myself to invite him to Norfolk to see the route himself and meet with local leaders – and why I’m working with the A47 Alliance and Norfolk County Council as we look to take a delegation of stakeholders to Westminster to lobby for further support.

Rest assured, I will keep on this.

To stay up to date with all my work on this issue, please visit my ‘Making Our Roads Fit for the 21st Century’ campaign page here.