North West Cambridgeshire MP Sam Carling has convened a new A47 Safety Improvement Group with local parish councils and other representatives, focused on reducing accidents between Wansford and Sutton – one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the region.
The group, which had an initial meeting in July, has been established following the Department for Transport’s decision to withdraw the long-delayed A47 dualling scheme after costs spiralled to over £100 million. With that proposal now off the table, Carling is working to bring together a more deliverable set of safety interventions that could be implemented more quickly and with strong local backing.
The group is reviewing a range of potential measures, including:
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Average speed cameras
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Safer junction layouts
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Overtaking restrictions and speed reductions
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Visibility improvements and rumble strips
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Lay-by closures and redesigns
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Better infrastructure for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders
A public consultation is expected later this year to gather views from residents in order to inform an overall proposal to be put to Government.
Sam Carling MP said:
“I’ve made it clear that something needs to be done to make this stretch of the A47 safer – and I’m glad to be bringing partners together to get a better plan in place.
There’s a real willingness locally to get this right, and I’m grateful to local partners for coming to the table to help make that happen.
People have waited long enough. We now have a chance to deliver real, practical safety improvements – and I’m determined we make the most of it.”
The previous dualling scheme had been paused for several years due to planning complications, heritage concerns and rising costs, including the absence of upgrades at the A1 junction.
The new approach aims to tackle safety issues head-on through a locally driven package of improvements that reflect how people actually use the road.