Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Lord Bellingham (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 21 March 2006 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Trunk Roads (East Anglia)

Question: I am sorry to hear that, because if the Minister had a meeting, he would learn that Norfolk has fewer trunk road bypasses and less dual carriageway than any other county in England. Not only is that harming the quality of life in many villages, it is holding back job creation and enterprise. When will work commence on the A47 Middleton-East Winch bypass and when can we expect some improvements on the A17?

Answer: Although I have no plans to meet the local authorities, we have been talking to them and to the region about plans hitherto. I have visited the A47 to see the issues for myself. We have just had guidance from the region about where road funding priorities ought to lie. We are considering that and will make our decision known very soon. I remind the hon. Gentleman that, given what he has just said, he might want to discuss the presumption against road building, as it was described, with the right hon. Member for Suffolk, Coastal (Mr. Gummer), who is leading the Conservative commission on that subject.

Secondary information