The government insisted upgrades to the A47 are still due to start in 2019 as it unveiled its latest roads plans.

The A-road which stretches from Great Yarmouth to the Midlands was not listed in the government's ongoing schemes published today - but officials insisted it was still on track.

Broadland MP Keith Simpson said they had to 'make certain' the government would deliver on that A47 with the money that was allocated ahead of the 2015 general election and said it was a 'high priority'.

A £1m boost to the so-called 'four villages bypass' on the A12 in Suffolk and money for thousands of potholes were the centrepiece of the Autumn Statement announcement in this region.

Mr Simpson said: 'I know it is easy to be disparaging about money spent on potholes, but those of us who have experienced a pothole know the damage they can cause. Although it is not 'big picture money', I know it will be welcome for those who travel on B and C roads,'

Mid-Norfolk MP George Freeman, who chairs the prime minister's policy board, said he was talking to ministers about creating a Norfolk/Cambridge/A11 Innovation Corridor Partnership with new freedoms and powers to raise an infrastructure bond to fix the Ely junction, build a new town at Mildenhall, and plough the proceeds into digital and rail infrastructure to help rural areas.

The Department for Transport said Highways England's most recent delivery plan - published in July - said work on the A47 would start in 2019/20 - but some safety improvements to the Acle Straight could begin earlier. Acle Straight dualling is not in the pipeline because it could take four years to see if tiny rare snails have adapted to a new home away from the road.

Roads minister Andrew Jones said the A47 is 'on my radar' because it was an 'opportunity'. What should the government be spending money on? Email edpletters@archant.co.uk