The county council's leader has warned Norfolk could be "abandoned" under a Labour government, claiming major road schemes could be "kicked into the long grass".

Conservative County Hall leader Kay Mason Billig criticised comments made by Labour's shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves in an Eastern Daily Press interview during a visit to Norfolk last week.

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason BilligNorfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Mrs Mason Billig, speaking at a meeting of the council's cabinet on Monday, said: "We fought very hard for a fair deal on infrastructure for this county. We have been left behind for far too long. We don't have the same sort of infrastructure that other places enjoy.

"It's incredibly disappointing when you see the report in the EDP about the shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, who deigned to visit us, and then puts doubt on a future Labour government funding those schemes.

"It looks like the Labour government would abandon Norfolk. We can't let that happen.

"We cannot allow Norfolk to be left behind and I know my cabinet colleagues will join me in fighting any of these schemes being kicked into the long grass".

Eastern Daily Press: Labour's shadow chancellor Rachel ReevesLabour's shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves (Image: Georgie Taylor)

Ms Reeves said she was unwilling to pledge that projects would receive financial support from a Labour government.

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The shadow chancellor said, although existing government commitments to road schemes would be honoured, any remaining funding gaps may not be plugged.

Eastern Daily Press: An artist's visualisation of the Norwich Western Link roadAn artist's visualisation of the Norwich Western Link road (Image: Norfolk County Council)

County Hall is still waiting to find out whether the government will cover more of the cost of the £274m 3.9-mile Norwich Western Link road, while government money committed to the Long Statton bypass does not cover the full £47m bill.

The council has also lodged a business case for the £84m West Winch Access Road near King's Lynn.

Mrs Mason Billig also criticised Ms Reeves' support for the controversial Norwich to Tilbury pylon project.

Eastern Daily Press: Labour group leader Steve MorphewLabour group leader Steve Morphew (Image: Denise Bradley)

But Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at County Hall, said: "Necessity is the mother of invention and it seems Mrs Mason Billing needs to make things up, rather than admit the poor Conservative record of investment in Norfolk infrastructure or Labour's commitment to genuinely invest in a prosperous, sustainable future.

"Fourteen years of Conservative government hasn't exactly seen money flowing to Norfolk."