A death trap
Immediately after the 1997 General Election, Labour conducted a review of priorities for road-building. The Government accepted that the A11 was one of the most dangerous roads in England and certainly the most dangerous road in the East of England. As a result, the dualling of the A11 emerged as the number one priority for the whole Eastern Region.
Since then there has been a lamentable lack of progress. Despite promises there has been endless delays. This is despite numerous visits to Ministers in London and visits to the A11 by Government Ministers as well.
The dualling of the A11 was meant to be completed last year. The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) did not help matters when it made a recommendation to the Government to push this scheme back by at least five years. The anticipated start date of work is now 2012/2013.
Over the years the road has been responsible for countless serious injuries and fatalities. It is a death trap.
Yesterday, Charles Clarke (MP for Norwich South) and I met Ruth Kelly MP, the Secretary of State for Transport to discuss our concerns. We drew attention to the fact that spending on transport in the Eastern Region is lower than elsewhere in England. This is despite a growing population.
It was a crucial meeting. Both Charles Clarke and I did our best to try and convince the Secretary of State that urgent action is required now - not in another five years time.
The Government have asked the East of England Regional Assembly to refresh its recommendations including the dualling of the road. I hope that EERA makes makes the A11 its number one priority.
We shall be working considerably with the Department of Transport, the local councils and EERA, and the Highways Agency to speed this up! We want it to be built in 2010.
Dozens and dozens of people have lost their lives on this road and the congestion is appalling. Enough is enough - we shall all work together to get this sorted as quickly as possible.