TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER TO SEEK FUNDING FOR A47 DUALLING
Euro MP Robert Sturdy has been told by European Transport Commissioner, Jacques Barrot, that further European funding could be available for the A47 dualling in the Eastern Region. And the Commissioner has pledged to raise the issue with the UK government.
Mr Sturdy met the Commissioner in Strasbourg yesterday to plead the case for the region after learning it had been downgraded as a new major European route.
Commissioner Barrot said he was genuinely surprised at the lack of dual carriageway on the A47 and that alternative funding was available under annual funding schemes by the EU if applied for by 20 June 2008. He did, however, stress that this budget was not as big as that for major European routes and these schemes would therefore require co-financing from the public or private sector.
Mr Sturdy said afterwards:
“I very much welcome this information from Commissioner Barrot who took a very keen interest. He wants to see the best road networks developed in the EU and offered very helpful advice. This funding opportunity he mentioned now needs to be looked at and exploited.
“I am very much aware that the June deadline is approaching fast and that these applications take time. I will be personally following this up with the government and local authorities to find out if any application has been made or is being planned. I am disappointed that our government is not committed to improving such a vital transport route in the region, but was pleased that the commissioner pledged to bring the case of the A47 to the attention of the UK Minister of State, Rosie Winterton, who deals with EU transport funding in the UK. I shall be writing to her urging the case for my constituents too.
“Commissioner Barrot was quick to point out that he had not turned a blind eye on the Eastern Region; the A14 has been classed as part of a major European route which has been allocated 80 million euros of European funds for the 2007-2013 period through the Trans European Network (TEN-T) scheme. With pressure from Europe, alongside that from British MPs and groups such as the A47 Alliance, hopefully our government will give the A47 the attention and funding it so desperately needs."
Mr Barrot confirmed that the road had not been classified as a "priority axis" within the Trans European Network scheme, which reduced its chance of receiving substantial European funding for the 2007-13 period. He confirmed this was because of the UK government's failure to apply for this classification.
The A47 dualling is desperately needed to link the key economic towns and cities in the Eastern Region and help boost it's economic development.
Mr Sturdy added:
"I felt it was crucial that the Commissioner knew about the grave concerns felt in the Eastern Region, that the road was unlikely to be dualled before 2020. I briefed him about the much needed development at Great Yarmouth Harbour which is vital for the region’s economy, and the need to have the proper infrastructure in place to ensure it runs efficiently”.
“I told him about the rising number of fatalities on this dangerous road, and how important it was that the A47 should be included as a priority axis, that rural economies were suffering as a result of inadequate roads.
“The government has bungled this desperately needed section of dualling which could hamper future regeneration and development plans across the Eastern Region.”
The Commissioner pointed out that the guidelines for the TEN-T scheme will be modified in 2010, but will mainly apply to the largest transport "corridors" in Europe. While chances may be slim in getting the A47 classified as one of these large corridors, the UK government will be able to submit an application.
