A47: Upgrade or risk meltdown
URGENT calls have been made for a major upgrade of the A47 amid strong fears West Norfolk will not meet its future housing targets unless improvements are made.
The A47 Alliance, which includes representatives from West Norfolk Council, believes significant investment is needed on the region's major trunk road if the borough is to hit Government growth targets for the next 20 years.
This week it emerged that the Highways Agency has already restricted developments on the Nar-Ouse (NORA) site, where capacity has been capped at 450 units until traffic improvements are made.
Adrian Gunson, Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for planning and transportation and chairman of the A47 Alliance, said: "The Government cannot expect Norfolk and Fenland to absorb tens of thousands of new houses, and the associated employment, unless the proper infrastructure is in place.
"The A47 is a critical route and already under great pressure. The Highways Agency has placed restrictions on the NORA development in Lynn and may do so around Wisbech. So the Government itself, through the Highways Agency, is already acknowledging that the inadequacies of the road are holding back growth."
A Highways Agency spokesman said the cap on the NORA site was imposed in 2005 but insisted the authority is working closely with West Norfolk Council to ensure the scheme continues.
He added: "The effect of traffic generated by the NORA project on local junctions of the A47 must be monitored, with traffic assessments carried out, before future development can take place."
David Hardy, West Norfolk Council's regeneration programmes manager, told the Lynn News the capping did not present a significant problem as a number of schemes, such as public transport and cycle paths, will be put in place to reduce traffic flow from the site.
He added: "We always knew we would have to work with the Highways Agency and the council is behind any efforts to get additional funding for infrastructure in West Norfolk."
The A47 Alliance has also raised concerns about the further impact on communities which have yet to be bypassed, while noting increased traffic flow caused by housing and job growth in Swaffham, Necton and Narborough.
North West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham discussed his fears for the region in a debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday, when he spoke of the dangers posed by the single-carriageway A47. He told the House: "The impact of busy single carriageway traffic rumbling through villages is significant.
"Let us consider some of the villages on the route of the A47. The communities of Middleton, East Winch and West Bilney are totally cut in half.
"Children going to school have to cross that road every day, and people going to shops and pubs face exactly the same challenge.
"There is no question that single carriageway roads are substantially more dangerous than dual carriageway roads."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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