Norfolk County Council have released a statement, advising that the new bus interchange will open this weekend:
“A new bus route that will transform services for those travelling to the Norwich Research Park area of the city launches this weekend.
From Sunday (30 June), Transport for Norwich’s recently completed bus interchange at Round House Way in Cringleford will see First’s Excel and Pink Line services using the new stop, with their Network Norwich Turquoise and Green Line services following on 28 July.
Konectbus will also be making use of the interchange from 7 July, with their X6 Thetford to Norwich route stopping there for connecting services.
The new interchange is accessed by a dedicated road off the first roundabout on Round House Way and will mean that people wanting to go to the hospital, UEA and Norwich Research Park can pick up connecting services directly to these destinations, rather than needing to travel into the city and back out again.
Councillor Martin Wilby, Norfolk County Council’s member with responsibility for Transport for Norwich, says: “I’m delighted to see the Round House Way bus interchange up and running. By investing in this new facility, First and Konnectbus can now provide more direct services for those needing to access or commute to and from Norwich Research Park and the surrounding residential areas.
“As well as providing a more efficient service for existing passengers, we hope the improvements will encourage people to travel to the area by bus, helping to relieve congestion along this route.”
Chris Speed, Head of Operations at First Eastern Counties said: “It’s great news that from this coming weekend we will be using the new Cringleford bus interchange, which will provide a new link with the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital for passengers travelling from Dereham and beyond on the Excel route.
“Our Excel and Pink Line 11/12 buses will be using the new interchange, with Pink Line buses running every 10 minutes throughout most of the day. It’s an easy and convenient transfer and gives people an important link with the hospital.”
Jeremy Cooper, Manager Director of Konecbus, said: “We are delighted that Norfolk County Council has once again pursued an imaginative initiative to make the most of the flexibility of the commercial bus network. The new interchange will significantly improve access to the hospital for people living outside the city and we are delighted that our new-look X6 bus from Thetford and Attleborough will call there from 7 July.”
Work to complete the interchange included construction of two bus stops with shelters, lighting and seating and a bus-only access road. The scheme also includes a new cycleway connecting to existing routes, with the final landscaping and planting taking place in the autumn season.
Transport for Norwich invested around £500,000 from the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund in the project, along with money from local developer contributions.
For full details of the scheme, please visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/roundhouseway”