NEWS

Government Announces A11 Dualling

Norfolk’s business community has warmly welcomed news the Government has given the go ahead for the final stretch of the A11 to be dualled.

Earlier this year economic development partnership Shaping Norfolk’s Future and the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce launched a high-profile campaign to persuade the Government to give the road scheme the green light.

More than 100 business leaders from the county’s biggest companies, including Norwich Union, Anglian Windows and Group Lotus signed a letter to Ruth Kelly, the then Secretary of State for Transport, calling for Government action.

It followed a similar letter to the East of England’s Regional Planning Panel urging members to ensure the road scheme was the region’s number one priority.

John Fry, chairman of Shaping Norfolk’s Future, said: “We are delighted the Government has finally agreed to the dualling of the A11. This project is the number one priority for Shaping Norfolk’s Future because of the enormous impact it will have on the county’s economy.

“A fully dualled A11 will improve the business perception of Norfolk at a stroke”.

Caroline Williams, chief executive of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is a huge relief to have the funding for the final stage of the dualling of the A11 signed off.

“It cannot be under estimated how important good transport links are to the economy of Norfolk and the A11 is a key route. Norfolk businesses never gave up their fight to achieve this outcome and it is very much welcomed.”