An MP and the leader of Norfolk County Council have launched a scathing attack on an eco-campaigner whose legal action held up work on three major A47 schemes, driving up the cost by millions of pounds.
Broadland MP Jerome Mayhew and County Hall leader Kay Mason Billig called on climate activist Dr Andrew Boswell to drop his legal challenge over the road projects, accusing him of "playing games".
Mrs Mason Billig, a Conservative, branded the former Green city and county councillor a "misguided individual" and claimed he did not have the best interests of the county's residents at heart.
But Dr Boswell hit back at the attacks, saying he was motivated by a desire to protect future generations from the impact of climate change.
Dr Boswell had challenged the legality of the government's decision to allow dualling of two sections of the A47 - Blofield to North Burlingham and North Tuddenham to Easton - and a major revamp of Thickthorn roundabout.
High Court judge Mrs Justice Thornton dismissed his argument that the cumulative carbon impact of the schemes had not been properly considered, but he is trying to secure an appeal.
But Mrs Mason Billig said: "Norfolk suffers from a lack of infrastructure, which holds our county back.
"Just when we are set to make progress, this misguided individual steps in, causing delay and cost.
"It beggars belief that hard-earned taxpayers’ money is being wasted in pointless legal challenges, from someone who clearly does not have the best interests of our residents at heart."
Mr Mayhew, who said the A47 work would improve road safety, said: "Whilst Dr Boswell may be crowdfunding his legal costs, the taxpayer should not have to foot the multi-million-pound cost increase caused as a result of his ideologically driven legal challenges.
"If Dr Boswell wishes to continue pursuing this further, he should commit to paying the additional costs caused by further unsuccessful legal challenges so that taxpayers in Norfolk don’t have to pay for him to play his games."
READ MORE: A47 Norwich Thickthorn revamp contractor to be changed
National Highways, the government company responsible for the work, has spent more than £70,000 on legal fees combating Dr Boswell's challenge.
The company previously said the final cost of the works had gone up by tens of millions of pounds, because of the delays triggered by the challenge.
But Dr Boswell said the three A47 schemes, if built, will each increase carbon emissions - and building all three at the same time would generate even more.
He said far from not having residents' best interests at heart, he was acting to protect the children and grandchildren of Norfolk people.
He said: "Climate breakdown, already happening, is very serious and no politician should treat it lightly.
"Instead of taking significant action on carbon pollution for Norfolk residents, Mr Mayhew and Mrs Mason Billig are knowingly making the problem worse by promoting road building schemes which will indisputably increase it, against the objectives of both their own local transport plan and the government’s carbon budget delivery plan.
"I too am deeply concerned about road safety, but it is not cost-effectively delivered by building more roads.
"Carelessness, dangerous driving, and bad driving habits need to be addressed by a Norfolk Road Safety Partnership promoting safe driving and enforcement, along with focussed interventions addressing accident black spots."
A decision on whether the High Court will hear Dr Boswell's appeal will be made in due course.
In the meantime, National Highways is carrying out some preparatory work on the sections of the A47 due for revamps, including archaeological investigations, moving utilities and clearing ground.
Signs have appeared on the A47 saying work has started and will last for two years, with Yarmouth Road near Blofield temporarily shut for vegetation clearance.
A National Highways spokesman said: "The works on the A47 schemes are being carried out under the powers contained in the development consent orders.
"The validity of these orders has been questioned by judicial review, following which the orders were upheld by the High Court.
"The orders remain in full force and effect and, accordingly, National Highways is entitled to carry out the works."
ANALYSIS
Next year will mark a decade since David Cameron, prime minister at the time, announced that £300m would be spent making major changes to the A47 in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.
Council leaders, MPs and business bosses had long called for more investment into the road - one of the main arteries through the county.
And, at long last, in 2014, it seemed, the government had finally listened.
Yet here, we are, in 2023, and work on the Norfolk schemes - a revamp of Thickthorn roundabout, along with dualling between North Tuddenham and Easton plus Blofield to North Burlingham - has yet to fully begin.
There was anger in Norfolk with the government's roads company National Highways - that it was not exactly busting a gut to do the work in Norfolk.
Last year, consent was given. But Dr Andrew Boswell, a former Green city and county councillor, challenged the legality of the government's decisions in the High Court.
He had a right to do so and a judge ruled his case had enough merit for it to be heard in the High Court.
Dr Boswell, who crowdfunded to raise money for his legal fees, argued the cumulative carbon impact of the schemes had not been properly considered.
A High Court judge rejected that argument and dismissed the case.
However, Dr Boswell, who says he is doing this to protect future generations from the impacts of climate change, hopes to appeal against that decision and is waiting to learn whether he will get another day in court.
National Highways had already said millions of pounds has been added to the bill for the schemes because Dr Boswell's challenge delayed the start.
Broadland MP Jerome Mayhew and Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig have now weighed in - urging Dr Boswell to ditch his appeal bid and let the work on the schemes begin in earnest.
Some of their language is arguably rather unfair - Dr Boswell certainly thinks so.
But for many drivers, they will agree with the sentiments expressed. They will say Dr Boswell had his opportunity and now it is time for this work to happen.
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