Cambridgeshire mayor Paul Bristow says he will be ‘banging on doors of Government’ after being made chair of campaign looking to dual carriageway Wisbech to Peterborough

The new leader of a cross-border campaign group aiming to upgrade the A47 to dual carriageway says he will be “banging on the doors of Government” until it is done.

The mayor of Cambridgeshire Paul Bristow has been made chair of the A47 Alliance, which includes local councils, chambers of commerce, and the Combined Authority, and is supported by MPs along the route from Peterborough to Lowestoft.

The Alliance’s campaigning is currently focused on three schemes: the Peterborough to Wisbech dualling in Cambridgeshire, as well as Tilney to East Winch and the Acle Straight in Norfolk.

The Alliance’s lobbying has seen them take the case directly to Westminster, as well as meeting with ministers and writing to Government at key times, such as the Autumn Budget, to put the A47 on the agenda.

More than half the road is single carriageway, and is a key route for freight, public transport and motorists generally. It is widely accepted that it is not currently fit for purpose, holding back much-needed economic growth, new housing and commercial space.

The three dualling schemes alone are estimated to create more than £330million of economic growth, unlock 125,000 new homes and 75,000 new jobs.

Mr Bristow said: “The A47 has been the east’s missing link for too long. It needs to be dualled.

“An upgraded A47 means faster growth, safer journeys and more investment in our towns and cities. It means new homes, new jobs and a stronger economy for the whole region. The fact it remains majority single carriageway is a stark reminder of the lack of investment in the East, which has gone on for decades.

“I’m proud to chair the A47 Alliance and will be banging on the doors of Government, with partners, until this road gets the upgrades it deserves.”

Norfolk County Councillor and vice-chair of the alliance, Graham Plant, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Paul Bristow as the new chairperson of the A47 Alliance. His leadership and connections at the heart of central Government will be invaluable in advancing our campaign to dual the A47.

“His appointment brings renewed momentum to this vital initiative. As Vice Chair, I look forward to working closely with him to champion the full dualling of the route - a transformation that will unlock economic growth, improve safety, and deliver more reliable journeys along our region’s only strategic east-west corridor.”