'A 50mph limit won't work - we need A47 dualled '

A notorious stretch of the A47 could be getting a reduced speed limit and safety cameras, with detractors arguing the route is in dire need of a dual carriageway.

National Highways said it was looking to introduce a 50mph limit, down from 60mph, and "speed camera enforcement measures" to the Acle Straight in Norfolk, due to the number of collisions.

The A47 Alliance, made up of councillors and businesses, campaigns for the dualling of the road's remaining single carriageways, including the 6.8-mile (11km) stretch between Acle and Great Yarmouth.

Group chairman Graham Plant, who is also Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for transport, said: "In my view it's the cheaper option - we are fighting to get the A47 dualled to improve our economy; its our link to Europe from two ports on the coast and right through to the Midlands."

"We work very closely with National Highways but they don't see the east as a priority," he added.

"Do what you have to do for safety, that's a priority, but the ultimate ambition has to be that we dual the A47 from end to end."

Mr Plant added the dualling did not feature in National Highways' regional infrastructure programme, with the alliance's campaign ongoing.

National Highways, which is due to consult on the proposal, said there had been 54 reported injury collisions with 138 casualties on the Acle Straight between 2017 and 2021.

BBC Radio Norfolk spoke to people in Great Yarmouth about the proposals, with most expressing concern about accidents and the ongoing need for a dual carriageway.

"I doubt it will work - dual it, it's the only thing for it, because people keep dying," said Richard Copeland, 57.

"My son-in-law was in a ditch [beside the road] last year because some lady fell asleep [at the wheel] and crashed into his car."

Carana Pereira said she believed most drivers stuck to about 40mph "unless they are in a hurry".

"I know they have a few accidents there but just 50mph; people are not going to like that," said the 37-year-old.

Dennis Bauer, 33, was all for safety changes.

"There are so many accidents, something needs to be done about it," he said.

"The amount of times you go down there and it's shut because there are two car accidents, three car accidents, and it's only going to get worse."

Lee Ray, 70, said the suggestions did not go far enough and the limit should be 40mph with double white lines required in the centre of the road to prevent overtaking.

"The Acle Straight has always been a problem and the main problem is people overtaking," he added.

"How long have we been campaigning, and accidents is all we hear about, we need to do something.

"Everyone knows somebody who has lost someone on that road."

National Highways added: "We’re always exploring ways to make our roads safer by using collision data, risk assessments and insights to better understand driver behaviour.

"This route has been selected due to the number of collisions and the potential for future incidents."

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