Court of Appeal hears challenge to Norfolk A47 scheme

Work on the Wood Lane junction between North Tuddenham and Easton is among the projects Dr Andrew Boswell is opposing

An environmental campaigner is fighting in court to block the upgrade of three sections of a major road.

National Highways has been granted development consent orders to start work on the A47 in Norfolk.

Former Green Party councillor Dr Andrew Boswell lost his High Court challenge in May 2023, but was allowed an appeal hearing.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said its environmental impact assessment was correct.

The development consent order, approved in 2022, included a new dual carriageway and junctions between Blofield and North Burlingham , and between North Tuddenham and Easton, and redevelopment of the Thickthorn junction south-west of Norwich, where the A11 meets the A47.

Dr Boswell claimed the DfT had failed in each case to assess the significance of the cumulative greenhouse gas emissions, as required by law.

Dr Boswell was allowed to appeal against an earlier court ruling

The court heard on Tuesday from his barrister David Wolfe KC that a relatively small section of the UK's highway network around Norwich would contribute nearly 0.5% of the UK's entire [carbon] budget between 2033 and 2037.

"Given all the other things that have got to happen in that period to get down to that percentage reduction, that becomes significant and important," he added.

But the government said its assessment of the carbon budgets was appropriate.

The plans also include dualling the A47 between Blofield and North Burlingham

James Strachan, KC, barrister for Transport Secretary Mark Harper, said there was a legal obligation to meet carbon emissions budgets from all sectors, not just roads.

Dr Boswell said he expected the verdict to be returned in four to six weeks' time.