LibDems will scrap plans to dual the A11

Anybody who attended the City Council debate on the subject of dualing the A11 may be surprised by that blog headline, but once again the gulf between local and national LibDem parties is startling.

In order to make his back-on-an-envelope £20bn tax cuts stack up, LibDem Leader Nick Clegg is announcing the savings in dribs and drabs as and when they are dreamed up. Last week this included cutting the road building programme by 90% (yes, ninety percent). This would, inevitably, include the work that is needed on the A11 and the A47.

I happen to believe that this was seen as an easy hit for Clegg; enhances his environmental credentials and provides a serious wodge of cash for his tax cut plans. However the arrogance of the national party means that was never communicated with the local party nor alligned against local priorities.

So local LibDem Chiefs will be left to answer to local people about why the A11 won't be dualled under the LibDem spending plans.

This decision couldn't have come at a worse time for business in Norwich and Norfolk; and again demonstrates why the LibDems can't be trusted with the big decisions.

Why the Greens oppose the A11

For those of you unable to attend the City Council meeting where the dualling of the A11 was discussed, I thought I would let you know why the Green Party voted against the scheme.

According to Adrian Ramsay's party, it would encourage people to come to Norfolk including tourists and also make it easier for us to go on holiday. This shouldn't be allowed, we were told - we should all be holidaying in Norfolk, whether we want to or not.

The Greens also said it might encourage business to come and employ people in Norwich and Norfolk and trade with our businesses. This shouldn't be allowed, we were told - businesses should be kept small and local, large ones were not welcome.

And the Greens would certainly not want supermarkets bringing their produce into Norwich. This shouldn't be allowed, we were told - as people should eat locally even if they could not afford to do so.

So take note, if you have a job at a medium or large company, or shop at supermarkets or take holidays outside of Norfolk then the Green Party disapprove of you and the choices you make.

The A11 badly needs dualling - for our economy, for our tourist trade and for our safety. For the Greens, political extremism come before all of those things.