Government Moves to Revoke A47 Wansford to Sutton Dualling Consent After Funding Withdrawal

The government has begun the process of revoking planning consent for the A47 Wansford to Sutton dualling scheme following its decision to withdraw funding for the project.

The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed that the secretary of state is minded to revoke the development consent order (DCO) granted to National Highways on 17 February 2023. The move follows the 2025 Spending Review, in which ministers decided not to continue financial backing for the upgrade.

Scheme Details

The A47 Wansford to Sutton project would have delivered a new dual carriageway section between Wansford and the western end of the existing dualled stretch at Sutton.

The route would have:

• Followed the current A47 alignment near Wansford

• Crossed northwards to run parallel with the existing road

• Included changes to roundabouts at Wansford

• Delivered a dedicated slip road from the A1 southbound to the A47 eastbound to reduce congestion

National Highways had argued the scheme would improve safety for all road users, reduce congestion, support local economic and housing growth and improve journey time reliability.

“Exceptional Circumstances”

In its statement, the DfT said the secretary of state considers there are “exceptional circumstances” justifying revocation without a fresh application, citing the withdrawal of central government funding.

The department has undertaken the statutory publicity required under the Infrastructure Planning (Changes to, and Revocation of, Development Consent Orders) Regulations 2011 and is now inviting representations on the proposed revocation.

The cancellation was first announced last summer. At the time, transport secretary Heidi Alexander said:

“We are already investing over £500M on improvements to the A47 corridor, with work to dual sections in Norfolk already underway. But it’s just not feasible to support further investment at this time.

“I understand some communities will feel frustrated. But by taking this decision, we’re rebalancing funds towards those areas that, for too long, haven’t had the infrastructure investment they’ve deserved. The North and Midlands will now get a higher proportion of strategic road spend than we’ve seen in the last five years.

“I believe that’s the right and fair thing to do.”

Third DCO Revocation in Six Months

Revoking a DCO was once considered an exceptional step. However, this marks the third major road scheme to lose its consent in the past six months.

• In August, the A1 dualling scheme in Northumberland had its powers removed.

• In October, the DCO for the A303 Stonehenge Tunnel was revoked, formally ending prospects for its reinstatement.

The A47 upgrade programme was originally divided into six packages between Great Yarmouth and Peterborough when National Highways published its strategy in 2017.

Of those schemes:

• One has been completed (Guyhirn junction)

• Two have now been cancelled (Great Yarmouth junction remodelling and Wansford to Sutton)

• Three remain ongoing (North Tuddenham to Easton, Blofield to North Burlingham, and Thickthorn Junction)

Strategic Importance of the A47

The A47 is a key east-west corridor linking the Midlands and the East of England. Campaigners have repeatedly called for targeted investment to address congestion and safety issues along its length.

The revocation raises wider questions about the durability of DCOs in a changing fiscal environment and the impact of repeated cancellations on long-term infrastructure planning confidence.

Members of the public and interested parties have been invited to submit representations to the DfT regarding the proposed revocation.