A former Conservative transport secretary today spoke of his regret of not doing more to complete the dualling of the A11.

Sir George Younger, who is now Leader of the House of Commons told MPs that he wished he had done more.

'I'm afraid when I was Secretary of State for Transport for two years I omitted to do as much as I should have about the A11,' he said. 'But it is now among the 14 schemes which the Highways Authority expects to be able to start before 2015, subject to the completion of statutory processes. I understand they are now working on the detailed delivery of this particular scheme and I will ask the Minister of Transport to write to my honourable friend.'

Sir George was speaking during business question during which South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss again pressed the government on a start date for dualling as part of an ongoing bid to ensure the scheme remains a top priority for the government.

Ms Truss said: 'My constituents were delighted to hear in the autumn Comprehensive Spending Review that the final stretch of the A11 was to be dualled. This will have a magnificent impact on economic growth in the county and local businesses. Yet we are still to hear exactly when this major work will take place.

She added: ''How soon this goes ahead will have a real impact on economic growth in the county, and I am keen to see the A11 dualled as soon as possible.'