A47 Investment Must Go Further to Unlock National Growth
Chambers East has renewed its call for sustained and strategic investment in the A47 following a ministerial visit to the Thickthorn Junction improvement scheme.
Nova Fairbank, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, and Charlotte Horobin, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce, joined the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Minister for Roads and Buses, Simon Lightwood MP, at the A47 Thickthorn Junction to discuss the progress of ongoing roadworks and their importance to the region’s business community.
Leaders welcomed the improvements at Thickthorn, which are expected to cut peak journey times by up to 30 per cent on key movements between the A11 and A47 and significantly improve reliability for commuters, freight and local businesses. The scheme is also forecast to support thousands of jobs, including growth linked to Norwich Research Park and across the wider Greater Norwich economy.
However, Chambers East stressed that while Thickthorn demonstrates the value of investment, it also underlines how much more remains to be done.
Less than half of the A47 is currently dual carriageway. Even once the current works are completed, only just over half of the route will be dualled. The A47 remains widely regarded as one of the most dangerous major A roads in the country and is a critical east to west corridor linking the East of England to the Midlands and beyond.
Nova Fairbank added:
“The A47 is not simply a regional road. It is the main artery for nationally significant industries including offshore renewables, advanced manufacturing, agri-tech, tourism and international trade. Norfolk welcomes more than 50 million visitors a year and its visitor economy is worth £3.6 billion. Suffolk’s visitor economy is worth £2.1 billion, yet neither county has a motorway. Our connectivity must match our ambition.
“Incremental upgrades are not enough. We need a clear, funded, long term commitment to complete the dualling of this route.”
Chambers East also pointed to the cancellation in July 2025 of the proposed Wansford to Sutton dualling scheme in Cambridgeshire, citing financial constraints and lack of feasibility. Business leaders described the decision as a setback for growth and a signal that the region continues to face underinvestment.
Charlotte Horobin said:
“The investment at Thickthorn Junction shows what can be achieved when Government backs vital infrastructure. Journey times are reduced, reliability improves and growth follows. But we cannot ignore the fact that the A47 as a whole continues to fall short of what our regional and national economy requires.
“Businesses representing a combined turnover of £5.5 billion and employing more than 50,000 people have told us that a fully dualled A47 would transform their operations. Ninety five per cent say it would reduce inefficiencies and delays. Ninety per cent say it would attract more customers. Eighty eight per cent say it would allow them to invest with confidence. The economic case is clear.”
Adding a national logistics perspective, Ben Fletcher, Chief Executive of Logistics UK, said:
“Over 80 per cent of UK freight is moved by road, the reliability of our strategic road network is fundamental to the economy. The logistics sector employs 8 per cent of the UK workforce and contributes £170 billion to the economy each year. Roads like the A47 connect major ports, energy projects, manufacturers and consumers. Incomplete dualling and persistent delays add cost, reduce efficiency and ultimately impact competitiveness across the UK.”
Chambers East warns that delays to previous A47 schemes have already come at a cost. Funding allocated in 2014 did not see main construction begin until 2023, with completion now expected in 2027 or 2028. Business leaders argue that prolonged delivery times have meant missed economic opportunities and increased scheme costs.
Looking ahead, Chambers East is calling for priority to be given to further dualling and junction improvements along the remaining single carriageway sections. The business case suggests that completing these improvements could generate more than £330 million in additional gross value added, unlock housing and employment growth along the corridor and reduce millions of pounds in delay related costs to businesses each year.
“Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire must be seen as open for business,” Charlotte Horobin concluded. “We do not simply want further A47 improvements. We need them. This is a main economic artery that underpins housing, jobs, energy security and high growth sectors. The case for action is urgent and compelling.”
Chambers East brings together the four Chambers of Commerce across the East of England to provide a strong, united voice for business. Together they champion the infrastructure, connectivity, skills and policy environment required to support sustainable economic growth across the region.