Elizabeth Truss

MP Elizabeth Truss pressed the Roads Minister this week on whether the A47 would be upgraded during Transport Questions in the House of Commons.

Ms Truss met the Minister, Mike Penning, afterwards to emphasise the importance of the A47, particularly the Wisbech to King’s Lynn and Lynn to Swaffham stretches.

She also raised her concern about the dangerous Broadend Road junction between Walsoken and Emneth.

“The A47 is a vital strategic route from east to west but in many places it is still a single carriageway,” Ms truss asked during transport Questions.

“Does the Minister agree with me that it needs to be upgraded to a national strategic route, which it was before the previous Government downgraded it?”

Mr Penning replied: “I am very aware of the significance of this particular road. It is something we will look at and will continue to look at as we develop plans for future road improvements.”

After the meeting Ms truss, MP for SW Norfolk, said: “I am really pleased by the positive response from the Minister. He has told me that the Department for Transport is seriously examining the possibilities for the A47.

“I appreciate that this is going to be a long term process, however I am delighted it is on the DfT’s radar and I will continue to press them on this issue. I am also concerned by the extremely poor layout of the Broadend Road junction.

“The Highways Agency need to look at this location again as it is causing considerable concern for residents. With the local parish council, I have seen how dangerous the crossing is and I made this point to the Minster.

“He has assured me that this will be reviewed when looking at the future options for the A47.”