We asked businesses across the region with a combined turnover of £5.5 billion that employ 50,000+ staff what a fully dualled A47 could do for them:
The A47 is a very important road: it carries traffic, freight and public transport across East Anglia from the Midlands and the north of England, catering for residents, visitors and businesses alike.
The road is part of National Highways’ network and has missed out on significant investment in the past to bring it up to standard, meaning that today it is not fit for purpose.
53% of the A47 is single carriageway. 90% of fatal accidents on the A47 over the past five years have occurred on the single carriageway sections. The annual cost to the UK of fatal accidents on the A47 is expected to be over £25 million.
We asked businesses across the region with a combined turnover of £5.5 billion that employ 50,000+ staff what a fully dualled A47 could do for them:
95% said it would reduce inefficiencies and delays travelling.
90% said it would attract more customers.
88% said it would allow them to invest with confidence.
“Full dualling of the A47 (from Lowestoft in the East all the way through to the A1 in Cambridgeshire in the West) is vital if we are to ensure the long term safety of motorists and help unlock Norfolk and the East’s full economic potential. That’s why I remain committed to working with fellow parliamentary colleagues and the Alliance to drive forward that campaign and fight for more funding, upgrades and improvements – so that we can attract the investment we need to create thousands of new jobs and opportunities, as well as spread prosperity, ‘Level Up’ and breathe fresh life into our local communities. ”
“Dualling the A47 is absolutely vital for my constituents. By better connecting our road infrastructure to key industries and tourism destinations we can attract inward investment and create jobs across the region. Dualling would also guarantee fast, reliable, and safe journeys by easing congestion on the network and ultimately save lives. I want to see a commitment to A47 dualling in the third Road Infrastructure Strategy, and will be lobbying Government to this effect. ”
“The A47 is one of the most important roads in the country – linking the ports of the East of England with my city of Peterborough and beyond to the Midlands and the North.
It’s also sadly one of the most neglected roads in the country – over half the road is still single carriageway.
One of the bottlenecks is in Peterborough – and we urgently need the duplication of the Peterborough to Wisbech section.
It is estimated that dualling this section would see a 40% reduction in accidents. It would improve connectivity and boost economic growth across the region and beyond.
Importantly, it would improve the reliability of journeys between Peterborough, Eye and Thorney. Local people have put up with congestion on this road for far too long deserve their fair share of national infrastructure spending. ”
“The A47 is a vital transport route not only for Norfolk but for the country. I fully support the efforts to dual the whole length including the Acle Straight. As works continue to improve the internal flow of traffic in Great Yarmouth Town, it is essential that we press on with planned improvements to the Vauxhall Roundabout, once complete the Acle Straight is the logical next step.
A dualled Acle Straight, partnered with the Third River Crossing and improved roundabouts, would enable significantly improved journey times, boosting the economy and reducing wasteful emissions caused by idling traffic.”
“Dualling the A47 is vital to improve road safety, boost jobs and investment, and support economic growth along this strategic route. I will continue to work with MPs, businesses, and councils across the region to support the A47 Alliance’s compelling case to include three priority schemes in the Road Investment Strategy 3.
Investing in the Tilney to East Winch scheme, including the Hardwick Flyover, would reduce fatalities, cut delays, attract investment, enhance productivity, and unlock new homes in King’s Lynn and across the area.
The message from businesses, MPs, and councils, is clear - just dual it.”
Create £330m+ uplift in GVA (gross value added) from new employment.
Unlock housing developments restricted by poor regional capacity, with 125,000 houses and 75,000 jobs planned along the route.
Further dualling is directly attributed to over £550m of land value uplift.
Provide opportunities for improved walking and cycling facilities and an improved corridor for public transport, benefitting from reduced congestion on the A47.
Reduce additional costs to businesses due to delays, estimated at £25m for haulage companies.
Generate £200m+ benefits from enhanced productivity.
Offers opportunities for low carbon construction methods to be used by National Highways
Bring about benefits of £40m in regional markets by reducing delay and congestion and increasing efficiency.
“Improvements to the A47 would make it easier and faster to get to Great Yarmouth for shopping and visiting the sea front for leisure and a day out. ”
“I am a regular user of the A47, commuting along the route from Wansford to Kings Lynn. The A47 is a major east-west route, as important as the A14 parallel route to the south and should be treated as such in terms of government infrastructure investment. ”
“The Acle straight is a dangerous road which I have to drive down almost daily. It is regularly closed due to accidents causing massive disruption and I fear that one day I will be caught up on one of these accidents myself.”
“[Improvements to the A47] would significantly speed up my commute to Dereham.”
“People lose lives on this road every year. If there's an accident, travel to work is horrific and takes over an hour instead of 15 mins. ”
“[Improvements to the A47] would help in all aspects of our transport. Making it easier to get goods in but also out.
It would also bring us more work opportunities as it if transport was easier it would bring down our costs. ”
Learn more about what we are asking of the Government and why we have chosen these priorities.
Our prioritiesFind out more about our current and past campaigns to dual the A47 and how you can help.
About out campaigns