National Highways secures A47 progress with £100m scheme approved

Ministers have approved another of National Highways’ major schemes on the A47 while three separate projects on the road remain paused due to legal challenges.

Transport minister Huw Merriman approved the government-owned company’s plans to convert a 1.6-mile section of the A47 between Wansford and Sutton into a dual carriageway with the granting of a development consent order (DCO).

Last month Mr Merriman told MPs that despite a decision on the scheme being due on 11 January, he was extending the deadline to 17 February 'to allow for further consultation on a number of outstanding issues'.

Chris Griffin, National Highways’ programme leader for the A47, said: ‘Today’s news is very welcome and is testament to the hard work and professionalism of all those who have contributed to getting the proposals granted in this important planning decision.

‘Those who regularly travel on this section of the A47 will know what a bottleneck it can be. Our plans will relieve that problem, make the road safer, and improve journey times.’

National Highways said the DCO means work on the project, which could cost up to £100m, could begin this spring with completion expected by winter 2024/25.

This scheme is one of six major improvement projects costing almost half a billion pounds in total on the 115-mile section of the A47 between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth.

Three schemes near Norwich are currently subject to judicial review after a legal challenge against the decision to grant DCOs to the schemes:

• A47 Blofield - North Burlingham dual carriageway improvement (DCO 22 June 2022)
• A47 Tuddenham - North Easton dual carriageway improvement (DCO 12 August 2022)
• A47/A11 Thickthorn junction redevelopment (DCO 14 October 2022)

National Highways said work on all three schemes had been expected to start very shortly after their respective DCOs were granted but has now been paused.