Welcome

This is the first edition of our A47 Alliance newsletter, to provide updates on the activities of the A47 Alliance.

The A47 Alliance was established in 2004. Currently there are 75 members of the A47 Alliance. These members are businesses, local authorities and MPs from Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk and Suffolk. Working together to secure investment to fund further improvements to the A47.

Our programme of improvements will help to transform the 115 miles of A47 into a strategic link, boosting the economic development of the east of England.

Newsletter 01 March 2017

Necton A47 Junction

“The A47 is a major route that connects our region to the Midlands and the North, it’s vital that

we maintain pressure on getting the road improved. The A47 Alliance is pleased to see progress on our funded schemes. And we will

continue to press for further A47 improvements in Great Yarmouth and along the A47.”

- Cllr Graham Plant, Vice Chairman of the A47 Alliance and Leader of Great Yarmouth Borough

Council

In This Issue Our aim

Funded schemes

Our priorities

Highways England

Consultation

Contact us

A47 Alliance Chair and Vice Chair In March 2017 the A47 Alliance elected its leadership for the coming year. Cllr Martin Wilby was elected as Chairman and Cllr Graham Plant was elected as Vice-Chairman. Both are passionate about improving the A47, their joint leadership will drive the A47 Alliance forward during the next round of lobbying.

A47 Alliance Newsletter

Cllr Wilby, Brandon Lewis MP and Cllr Plant meet in Great Yarmouth

Funded Schemes

In 2014 the A47 Alliance secured commitment from government for over £300m to improve the A47. Highways England will deliver these schemes over the coming years.

These schemes are:

A47/A11 Thickthorn Junction Improvements, Norfolk Acle Straight Safety Improvements, Norfolk Blofield to North Burlingham Dualling, Norfolk Great Yarmouth Junction Improvements - Vauxhall,

Gapton, Bridge Road and James Paget Hospital junctions, Norfolk

Guyhirn Junction Improvement, Cambridgeshire North Tuddenham to Easton Dualling, Norfolk Wansford to Sutton Dualling, Cambridgeshire

Junction along the A47

Timeline of Activity for Funded Schemes

Completed March 2017 - Renumbering of the A12 as the A47, from Great Yarmouth to Lowestoft, was completed. Which has improved the continuity of the A47.

Current Highways England are undertaking a snail migration trial, to relocate the protected Little Whirlpool Ramshorn Snail Colony. If successful this will support the delivery of future improvements to the Acle Straight.

March - April 2017 - Public consultation on the funded

schemes commenced.

Upcoming

2017 - Highways England are scheduled to commence the

Acle Straight safety improvements works.

2020 - Construction of the funded schemes is expected to

commence.

Our Aim

To achieve full dualling of the A47, through Cambridgeshire,

Peterborough, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Highways England estimate that these schemes will reduce

congestion and contribute to a 40%

reduction in road traffic accidents.

We hope to increase the

connectivity of the East. To improve

access for residents, visitors and businesses.

Click here to keep up to date with Highways

England progress.

Acle Straight

Upcoming Activities

The A47 Alliance will be commencing the lobbying campaign some upcoming events are:

Business Breakfast Meeting with MPs Presenting the case of improvements to the Transport

Minister. Look out for news about these events and how you can help to support our campaign.

“These improvements are crucial to improve the A47. It is a major route across East Anglia and for too long businesses, residents and visitors have

had to put up with an inadequate, unreliable route.”

- Cllr Martin Wilby, Chairman of the A47 Alliance and Chairman of Norfolk County Council’s

Economy Development and Transport Committee

Our Priorities

At its meeting on 3rd March 2017, the A47 Alliance agreed its priorities for A47 improvements from 2020 to 2025. The A47 Alliance will continue lobbying to government with the aim of securing government funding for these priorities.

The agreed priorities are:

Acle Straight Dualling, Norfolk Tilney to East Winch Dualling, Norfolk Guyhirn to Wisbech Dualling, Cambridgeshire Junction improvements at:

A1101 Elm High Roundabout and B198 East and West, Cambridgeshire

Eye Roundabout Improvement Scheme, Peterborough

Junction 15 and Junction 18 Improvement Scheme, Peterborough

If government commits to funding these schemes, construction could commence between 2020 and 2025.

We will continue to work on business cases for the remaining schemes along the A47, in order to meet our goal of full dualling of the A47.

Let us know your views on

our priorities click here to contact

us.

Contact Us

Keep up to date with our progress at:

www.a47alliance.co.uk

Email: a47alliance@norfolk.gov.uk

Follow Us

@a47alliance, #a47

A47 Alliance

Highways England Public Consultation

Highways England public consultation is running from 13th March 2017 until 21 April 2017. This is to consult all on the plans for the improvements to the 6 funded schemes along the A47. You can have your say by visiting Highways England at the events below or have your say online, to find out more information click here.

Upcoming Events

Guyhirn Junction Improvement Consultation 16th March, Wisbech St Mary’s Community Centre, 3-8 17th March, Guyhirn Village Hall, 10-5 18th March, Wisbech St Mary’s Community Centre, 10-2

Great Yarmouth Junction Improvements Consultation 18th March, King’s Centre, 10-2 20

th March, Town Hall, 10-5

22nd

March, King’s Centre, 3-8

Wansford to Sutton Dualling Consultation 23rd March, Haycock Hotel, 3-8 24th March, Sutton Church, 10-5 25th March, Sacrewell Farm Centre, 10-2

Thickthorn Junction Improvements Consultation 25

th March, Willow Centre Cringleford, 10-2

27th March, Jubilee Youth Club Hethersett, 3-8

28th March, Willow Centre Cringleford, 3-8

Blofield to North Burlingham Dualling Consultation 29

th March, Lingwood, 10-5

31st March, Blofield, 10-5

1st April, Lingwood, 10-2

North Tuddenham to Easton Dualling Consultation 6

th April, Honningham, 3-8

7th April, Hockering, 10-5

8th April , Easton, 1-4

Click here for more information.