23 June 2022
A47 dualling - update

For far too long, the A47 has lagged behind other crucial roads in the UK – holding back our region’s vast potential and putting the lives of motorists at higher risk than those in other parts of the country.

That’s why one of my central missions as an MP has been to campaign for significant improvements to this key transport artery into our county – and why I was so proud to play my part in bringing the then Prime Minister David Cameron to Mid Norfolk back in 2014, where he announced a £300million commitment to dual the North Tuddenham-Easton stretch, as well as other improvements along the route – including the redesign of Thickthorn Roundabout.

I have continued to lobby hard over the years since to try and minimise slippage of the delivery of these crucial works and, with initial scoping works taking place last year, I am pleased that the first stages of the North Tuddenham-Easton construction works are due to finally get underway this year/the first half of next year.

However, throughout my years of campaigning, I have worked alongside my fellow eastern MPs and the A47 Alliance to make clear that, to unlock the region’s full economic potential and address safety issues along the route, the entirety of the A47 MUST be dualled.

That’s why the news that the Blofield to North Burlingham stretch – an infamous local accident blackspot – has been given a Development Consent Order so that it can be dualled is such positive news. This marks the next step on finally bringing this key road up to 21st century standards.

To learn more about this scheme, please visit the EDP here

I remain firmly committed to campaigning hard for full dualling of the A47. We don’t just need North Tuddenham-Easton dualled. We don’t just need Blofield to North Burlingham stretched. We need it all dualled: including the full Norwich-Acle section, the Dereham-Swaffham stretch, the Swaffham-King’s Lynn section, and everything else currently undualled all the way to the A1 in Cambridgeshire.

There is a long way to go but I am determined to do all I can to make it a reality.

To stay up to date with all my work on this issue, please visit my website here