A11 road widening inquiry ordered

The project has been brought forward to 2010

A public inquiry is to be held this year into widening the only remaining single-carriageway section of the A11.

Transport secretary Geoff Hoon called the inquiry due to objections raised about the scheme between Barton Mills in Suffolk and Thetford in Norfolk.

The Highways Agency declined to elaborate on the nature of the objections but said it would continue to try and resolve the issues.

The transport department has brought the project forward from 2013 to 2010.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said they were committed to improving the road and wanted to avoid the need for an inquiry.

Concerns expressed

He said: "A public inquiry has been called because a number of objections to the scheme were received.

"However, we will continue to work to resolve the outstanding objections and it may not be necessary to hold the public inquiry if they can all be resolved.

"A start of works date in late 2010 can still be achieved subject to satisfactory completion of the relevant statutory procedures - including a public inquiry."

Lord Edward Iveagh, the head of the Guinness family, also hopes objections to building the dual carriageway section through a 22,500 acre estate he runs in Suffolk can be resolved without a public inquiry.

He is chairman of the Elveden Estate which borders the road and is keen to see work get underway.

He said a public inquiry would delay the start on the 14.8 km (9 miles) road by at least six months.

Richard Bridgman, chairman of Shaping Norfolk's Future for Manufacturing, said he was concerned because the inquiry would be held so close to a general election.

"I was hoping there would be no appeal and the job would be getting underway because once work has started I do not think there would be a problem.

"Thetford would gain from the road and it makes no economic sense it not being done."