Businesses are expected give their views on official plans to ease traffic and improve safety on a stretch of the A47 between Norwich and Dereham this week.

Businesses are expected give their views on official plans to ease traffic and improve safety on a stretch of the A47 between Norwich and Dereham this week.

Firms - believed to include Bernard Matthews - are expected to join representatives of 16 parish councils, farmers, and members of the county and district councils at a meeting in Hockering tomorrow about the idea of building a link road between the A1067 and A47.

Campaigners are trying to resurrect an option which had been previously discarded by Norfolk County Council as unsuitable, and which they insist is the only commercially viable alternative.

It is understood that the route favoured by many county businesses would see the link road leave the A1067 at the Morton on the Hill crossroads, head south to the east of Weston Longville and then access the A47 at the Wood Lane junction.

“There are high profile businesses in Norfolk such as Bernard Matthews, Bomford Hauliers or Weston Park Golf Course who are actively interested in the link road,” said Gordon Bambridge, a parish and district councillor.

Gordon Bambridge. “This is the only viable solution and we are now calling on the county council to listen to our wishes. Favouring this solution would mean the greatest good for the greatest part of people. ”

Earlier this month Norfolk County Council put forward five options regarding the building of a roundabout on the A47 to help improve safety at an accident blackspot after a series of fatal crashes in the area in the last six years.

But as the consultation got underway, some Hockering residents claimed the authority failed to recognise their request for a link road diverting heavy lorries from their village.

They argued that transport bosses have ignored the views of adjoining parishes which are also affected by the heavy traffic.

Residents in Hockering are pushing for the 4km link road along with a four to five-arm roundabout at Wood Lane on the A47 Norwich to Dereham road which, they say, would be the only safe alternative and save taxpayers' money.

Norfolk County Council, however, favours a roundabout at Mattishall Road less than a mile eastwards which they claim would be the cheaper option.

Mr Bambridge, who will be chairing the debate on Tuesday night, said the parish council was expecting a “massive turnout” to the meeting where everyone is invited to express their views.

“We are expecting representatives of the 16 adjoining parish councils, members of the county and district councils, business representatives and obviously local residents,” he said.

Bernard Matthews could not be reached for comment over the weekend.

The meeting will take place at Hockering Village Hall on Tuesday, 7.30pm.