Norfolk County Council take A47 dualling to Westminster

On Wednesday 7 June 2023, Norfolk County Council, a member of the A47 Alliance, held an MP event at Portcullis House, London, to discuss the key challenges on the A47 and how MPs can help.

Norfolk County Council Leader, Councillor Kay Mason Billig, presented to the MPs, alongside cabinet members and senior officers, the case for A47 dualling and why investment in Norfolk's strategic road network and transport infrastructure is important and urgently needed. The presentation to James Wild MP, Duncan Baker MP, Jerome Mayhew MP and Brandon Lewis MP touched on the economic significance of Norfolk and the East of England, the historic lack of investment in the strategic road infrastructure, the key challenges experienced on the A47 particularly around safety and congestion, and the benefits A47 dualling can bring.

Key points raised in the presentation included:

• The poor safety record of the A47 with 90% of fatal accidents in the last five years occurring on the single carriageway sections which only make up 53% of the route
• Congestion on the A47 adds an estimated £25million to business freight transport costs each year
• Connectivity to coastal regions, offshore wind industry, rural and disadvantaged communities is vital. Two of Norfolk's three levelling up category 1 areas are on the A47.
• A47 dualling and investment in transport infrastructure is key to unlocking economic growth

The presentation rounded off with key asks to the Norfolk MPs, asking them to help make the case for investment from inside Westminster.  

The event was a great opportunity to engage with the local MPs and collectively make a strong case for A47 dualling and improvements.