:00:00. > :00:12.Good evening. Now on BBC
:00:13. > :00:16.First tonight, strong hints from the Government
:00:17. > :00:20.that one of the most notorious roads in our region will be improved.
:00:21. > :00:22.The A47 runs from Great Yarmouth across to Peterborough
:00:23. > :00:25.and the Midlands, but most of it is single carriageway.
:00:26. > :00:28.The bits in yellow are the only dual carriageway sdctions.
:00:29. > :00:33.Dualling the whole lot could cost ?1.4 billion but will it happen?
:00:34. > :00:36.Well, the roads minister cale to see it for himself today,
:00:37. > :00:43.and our political correspondent Andrew Sinclair travelled with him.
:00:44. > :00:53.This is all part of the ongoing campaign to keep the A47 in the
:00:54. > :00:58.Government's spotlight. Frol Great Yarmouth through to Peterborough,
:00:59. > :01:05.MPs lined up to meet the roads minister and driving along their
:01:06. > :01:11.stretch of the road. We are in a race with all the
:01:12. > :01:18.country and we won by getting him here today.
:01:19. > :01:25.with one voice, Norfolk United. At every stop, there were local people
:01:26. > :01:35.show that if the road were improved, it could be worth ?3
:01:36. > :01:50.investment and the A47 is one of them.
:01:51. > :02:03.see where the real pinch pohnts are and the dangerous parts. Maybe low
:02:04. > :02:19.We have been reporting on campaigns to improve the A47 for the last
:02:20. > :02:37.minister left feeling optimhstic. I think we are on the cusp
:02:38. > :02:42.the Autumn Statement, but after this visit, expectations are verx high.
:02:43. > :02:51.Of course the A47 is import`nt not only to Norfolk but two towns on the
:02:52. > :02:54.coast like Yarmouth and Lowestoft and we have been campaigning for
:02:55. > :03:01.improvements for years. In world, what happens is that real
:03:02. > :03:07.schemes have got to be before funding is allocated. So
:03:08. > :03:13.ministers coming round on unless he backs it up by saxing to
:03:14. > :03:23.the authorities your objections. When I hear that, I
:03:24. > :03:37.will know that he the Labour Government say those
:03:38. > :03:51.things many international law, environmdntal law
:03:52. > :04:09.and all the rest. What it takes coming round, dropping hints,
:04:10. > :04:23.raising expectations. they say. Thank you. And just a
:04:24. > :04:30.reminder that He resigned as council leader
:04:31. > :04:34.in 2010 He is rejecting calls to return the
:04:35. > :04:49.money voluntarily. It is all to do with entertaining civil servants and
:04:50. > :04:54.the business of the day. Thd council clearly don't think they have
:04:55. > :04:58.because otherwise they would take legal proceedings. I think I could
:04:59. > :04:59.take some action for defamation The Tour de France races through
:05:00. > :05:01.the region on Monday, with thousands poised to line
:05:02. > :05:03.the route of stage three through It should boost the local economy,
:05:04. > :05:06.with the hospitality industry Keith Johnson's getting into the
:05:07. > :05:21.spirit of things, as well hd might. His pub is in the prime position to
:05:22. > :05:32.profit from the tour route goes right past the front
:05:33. > :05:39.door. entitling guests to a champ`gne
:05:40. > :05:44.breakfast, four course lunch and a great view. We have sold VIP tickets
:05:45. > :05:49.at ?150 per head. Easy to because the Tour de France `nd an
:05:50. > :05:54.opportunity unprecedented for us. Hotels close
:05:55. > :05:59.to the route are also busy. Double Tree in Cambridge will be
:06:00. > :06:05.packed out. We Saturday but not normally on Sundays
:06:06. > :06:13.and Mondays. We have that I am full on Sunday and on
:06:14. > :06:23.Monday. It will hit many firms and there are
:06:24. > :06:30.hopes for a long`term boost for focusing on keeping supplies moving
:06:31. > :06:37.and focusing on business. look East will be showing you the
:06:38. > :06:45.best places to follow the Tour de Monday in itself, send us your
:06:46. > :06:56.pictures. Thank you. Changes on the way. A
:06:57. > :07:03.band of rain will cross the region overnight, so turning
:07:04. > :07:10.cloudy. Spots are patchy rain and as we get to dawn it turns
:07:11. > :07:33.day in the eastern counties. The rain is slow to clear that
:07:34. > :07:42.later in the day. Before that, plenty of sunshine.
:07:43. > :07:53.Today's weather played out like a classic World Cup match - a tale of
:07:54. > :07:57.two halves. Highest temperatures for this year.
:07:58. > :08:03.A different story further north and west. A lot of cloud around. It was
:08:04. > :08:09.breezy, and yes, we saw significant rain. This rain has to clear further
:08:10. > :08:13.east overnight and then it introduces a different feel to our
:08:14. > :08:19.weather - sunny spells but also showers. So a good drenching for the
:08:20. > :08:24.gardens overnight. Some of the rain heavy over north-east England for a
:08:25. > :08:29.time and stretching up towards south-east Scotland as this weather
:08:30. > :08:33.front goes further east. First thing there is the potential for some of
:08:34. > :08:34.that rain to be lingering