Improvements to the A47 and the railways were at the centre of the launch of the Conservative Party's manifesto for May's county council elections.

Eastern Daily Press: Launch of the Conservative manifesto for Norfolk, with Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP and Norfolk Conservative councillor Cliff Jordan. Picture: ANTONY KELLYLaunch of the Conservative manifesto for Norfolk, with Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP and Norfolk Conservative councillor Cliff Jordan. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Norfolk Conservatives set out their stall at County Hall yesterday afternoon.

And council leader Cliff Jordan - joined by transport secretary Chris Grayling - said: 'Our theme for Norfolk is that we actually care.'

Mr Jordan said: 'We care about the front line, we care about people having the services when they need them.'

But the stand-out message was a commitment to investing £20m in Norfolk's roads, finishing the Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NDR) and bringing new jobs into Norfolk.

Eastern Daily Press: Launch of the Conservative manifesto for Norfolk, with Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP and Norfolk Conservative councillor Cliff Jordan. Picture: ANTONY KELLYLaunch of the Conservative manifesto for Norfolk, with Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP and Norfolk Conservative councillor Cliff Jordan. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Mr Grayling said he was optimistic the elections would bring 'the majority we need to do a good Conservative job in Norfolk'.

He said improvements to the A47 were key to supporting and expanding business and new technology, and new trains on the rail franchise would improve links to London and Cambridge.

'I think if we are going to unlock the potential of Norfolk's new generation of enterprise then we need to make sure this part of the country is linked up.

'With the A47 we are now starting a rolling program of improvements and the rail services are having new carriages right across the region,' he said.

But he added: 'You can't deliver the potential this county has without that strong majority.

'Nobody benefits if you have a council not capable of making decisions.'

Amongst the transport improvements promised, the party vowed to target potholes and small works of local concern, as well as pushing the government to fully dual the A47, including the Acle Straight.

Mr Jordan also said he 'can't wait' for the NDR to be finished, including the western link - but joked he would 'probably be 150' before it was complete.

As well as transport, the Conservatives said they would protect services such as Norfolk Fire and Rescue, libraries and museums.

But there was also a pledge to keep council tax as low as possible.

They will also look to deliver better care for vulnerable adults and children, help first-time buyers and provide more opportunities for young people.