IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED TO DANGER ROAD

MPs say dualling of road is much needed

A scheme to turn a stretch of the A47 in Peterborough into a dual carriageway has been welcomed. The proposals would see the roadupgradedbetweentheA1 at Wansford andSuttontothe west of Peterborough.

There would also be improvements to the junction on the road at Guyhirn.

The plans are part of a £1.1 billion raft of schemes to upgrade roads across the east of England which were announced by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.

Theroadhashadanumber of serious crashes in recent years, and the stretch which will be upgraded i s a few yards from where Samantha and Stephen Durber died in a crash in 2013.

The news of the upgrade was welcomed by Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson , who said: “The upgrading of the A47 is very welcome and is something I and other local MPs have lobbied for over a number of years.

“Primarily it’s about safety and preventing the recent andtragic spate of road traffic accidents and fatalities but in addition, easing congestion – both west and east of the city – willimprovetrafficflowsand economic viability as a growing city for new jobs and businesses.”

Shailesh Vara, MP for North West Cambridgeshire, added:“Thisannouncementis excellent news for local busi- nesses, residents and commuters. Peterborough is one of the fastest growing cities in thecountryandtheremovalof traffic pinch-points relieves congestion, decreases travel timeanddriveslocal economic growth.

“Makingthis section of the A47 into a dual carriageway gives us an important opportunity to addresshistoricsafety concerns which have led to a number of tragic accidents in recent years.”

Consultations on t he schemes are set to be run soon.

The stretch of road where the works will take place