Rebecca GoughA decision on whether to duall the final stretch of the A11 will not be taken until the autumn at least and has been branded 'madness' by campaigners.Rebecca Gough

A decision on whether to dual the final stretch of the A11 will not be taken until the autumn at least and has been branded 'madness' by campaigners.

The full dualling of the A11 became one of the region's top election issues and Ministers were urged to 'get on and dual it' when a public inquiry into the upgrade of the road between Thetford and Barton Mills came to an end in January.

Today, campaigners spoke of their frustration of the news, although there remained hope the viability of the nine-mile scheme mean it would eventually come to fruition.

Spokesman for Gateway A11 East, Mike Brown, said: 'We expected a decision in April and we haven't got that so initially I am disappointed.

'I think we need transparency on this decision because if you don't have that you're challenging the integrity of the process.

'You can't help but think whether they are going to hide behind the finances.'

The project, which would cost between �106m and �147m, is estimated to be worth almost �600m to the Norfolk economy and would improve safety capacity and journey times along the A11 as well as improving the quality of life for people living in Elveden.

But South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss and West Suffolk MP Matthew Hancock both remained positive and pledged to keep the pressure on the Secretary of State Philip Hammond.

The findings of planning inspector Neil Taylor, who oversaw the A11 public inquiry, have already been sent to the government although nothing from the report, including any recommendations, have been disclosed.

A department for transport spokesman said: 'The Government has made clear its most urgent priority is to tackle the UK's record budget deficit to restore confidence in the economy and support the recovery.

'As part of its plan to eliminate the bulk of the deficit over the course of this parliament, the government will undertake a full spending review, reporting in the autumn. The Department for Transport will play a full part in that process.

'Once the spending review is completed, the department will be in a position to identify those major transport schemes that it can support, consistent with the government's objectives.'