Consultants to be appointed to develop A47 dualling plans

Consultants are to be appointed to develop plans for further dualling of the A47, which could link up with the existing stretch in West Norfolk.

Campaigners are currently lobbying for a government commitment to dual the entire route between Peterborough and Lowestoft by 2030. At present, less than half is covered by dual carriageway.

But political leaders in Cambridgeshire believe they may be able to speed up that process by developing their own plans to upgrade the section between Walton Highway and the edge of Peterborough.

A county council committee has now approved proposals for it to obtain consultancy services on behalf of the area's combined authority for the project.

The scheme is one of six to be covered by the decision made during a meeting yesterday.

The others include upgrades to the A10 between Ely and Cambridge and extending the M11 to link up with the A47, which would dramatically cut journey times for drivers here wishing to join the motorway network.

Supporters say the upgrades would deliver major economic benefits for the whole region.

But concerns were raised about the workload that could be placed on council officers, although officials insisted safeguard would be in place to ensure "minimal risk."