A47 Alliance meets the Minister

Cllr Graham Plant speaking to the Lilan Greenwood MP, Minister for the Future of Roads, and Jess Asato MP.

The A47 Alliance held a Parliamentary Drop-In event yesterday (12 March) sponsored by Jess Asato MP, where the Alliance successfully engaged the Minister on the topic of A47 Dualling and the need for a better East-West Strategic Route to the East of England.

The A47 Alliance included representation from Norfolk County Council, The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, Transport East, as well as the Road Haulage Association and Peel Ports.

The event was attended by MPs and their representatives from across the route, who have agreed to continue conversations with the Minister on this important campaign.

The Minister thanked the A47 Alliance for its “spirited campaigning” and recognised the A47’s strategic importance to the East of England’s economy and communities.

The A47 Alliance were clear that the safety of the road needed to improve, with 90% of accidents taking place on single-carriageway sections of the route.

The Minister took on board the asks of the A47 Alliance, stating that the “A47 would not be forgotten” in upcoming decisions on infrastructure, and was receptive to further conversations being held between the Alliance, the Department for Transport, and National Highways.

Councillor Graham Plant, Chairperson of the A47 Alliance said:

“I am pleased that the Minister attended our Parliamentary reception and I am grateful to Jess Asato MP for sponsoring us, as well as the cross-party work our MPs are doing to secure investment for this vital route.

While we weren’t expecting to come away with funding assurances from the Minister, it was heartening to hear that she fully recognised the need for better infrastructure to connect the East of England to the rest of the country.

She has assured us that as decisions around funding infrastructure are taken forward, the A47 will not be forgotten and I look forward to having further discussions with her, National Highways, and the Department for Transport on the need for improvements on the A47.”

Photo 1 (header): Pictured L-R: Cllr Graham Plant, Jess Asato MP, Lilan Greenwood MP, Jonathan Cage (Norfolk Chambers of Commerce), Andrew Summers (Transport East).