Norfolk County Council has been told that the Department for Transport (DfT) has concluded its review and that the Council’s Norwich Western Link project – to improve travel and tackle traffic problems to the west of Norwich – will remain in DfT’s Major Road Network programme.
This should mean that funding of nearly £1 million, which DfT agreed ‘in principle’ last July, will be released to the County Council. In turn, this means the project team can continue with their work to assess potential options for a Norwich Western Link, with the intention of arriving at a shortlist of options and then carrying out a public consultation.
Cllr Kay Mason Billig, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “We made a strong case to the Government about the need to tackle the transport problems to the west of Norwich and I’m glad they’ve listened. With further housing and business growth planned in and around Norwich, it’s vital that we continue to progress this project and ensure we deliver an effective solution that will improve travel in the area.”
Cllr Graham Plant, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport at Norfolk County Council, said: “This will be very welcome news for the local residents and businesses who are being affected by traffic congestion and delays on small, local roads every day. This means the project team can ramp up their work to find viable options for a Norwich Western Link and get us closer to delivering a solution.”
The project team will need to do some work to update the project’s timetable before being able to confirm when they expect to be able to conduct the consultation.
