Hopes are rising of quicker journeys and a boost to economic growth across Norwich, with the news of the Government having granted approval to the A47/A11 Thickthorn Junction scheme.
The Department for Transport (DfT) announced on 27th February that it had given the green light for the road project’s construction to begin.
More than £200 million has been allocated to the scheme, which the department said would shorten journey times, in addition to supporting 44,000 new homes in the locality and generating 33,000 new jobs as part of the broader Greater Norwich City Deal.
Government flexes its ‘pro-growth and pro-infrastructure’ credentials
As the DfT pointed out in its news release, the Labour Government has granted approval to the A130 Fairglen Interchange and the A647 scheme in Leeds since it entered office, in addition to supporting Heathrow Airport’s expansion.
The A47 project’s approval was therefore hailed by the department as “an important milestone for this pro-growth and pro-infrastructure government, cutting the red tape which has for too long held up vital schemes and cost the taxpayer millions”.
Court action had delayed the scheme going ahead, with climate activist Andrew Boswell having seen his crowdfunded legal challenge about carbon emissions rejected in the Court of Appeal last year. One of the three judges in the case, Sir Launcelot Henderson, had described Mr Boswell’s compliant as having “an air of complete unreality”.
In its confirmation that the A47 scheme would proceed, the Government said such legal challenges prevented areas like Norwich from realising their full potential.
“This scheme is finally getting the go-ahead it deserves”
To mark the scheme receiving Government approval, Lilian Greenwood – Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Future of Roads – commented: “This scheme is finally getting the go-ahead it deserves, after years of expensive legal blocks, as we are now able to unlock this vital scheme that Norwich has long waited for.”
Ms Greenwood added that the administration led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was “determined to get Britain building again”. She said the Government was putting money into various road schemes “to renew our national infrastructure, speed up journeys, and revive economic growth.”
Improved transport links and enhanced safety are further priorities
The DfT has also claimed that the upgrading of the junction will optimise links between Norwich and Peterborough. This, ministers have stated, will help expand job opportunities and better connect communities.
Improvements in safety, too, are a key point of focus for the project. The department said this would be achieved due to rerouted traffic and safer pedestrian and cycle routes – and that as a consequence, as many as 26 fatal or serious injury collisions would be avoided over the next 60 years.
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