In early November, Norfolk County Council published four potential route options for a Norwich Western Link, to connect the western end of Broadland Northway (formerly the Northern Distributor Road) to the A47. The council wants to improve travel between these two major roads and to tackle the transport problems that exist in the area to the west of Norwich, including slow journey times, rat running and roads not being suitable for the volume and type of traffic.
The four routes have been published following months of work to identify which options would be most effective as a Norwich Western Link. The shortlisted options were also informed by the results of an initial Norwich Western Link consultation which was held earlier this year. This consultation had more than 1,700 responses and showed there was very strong support for creating a new link between the A47 and Broadland Northway, with the majority of those responding suggesting a new road as their preferred solution.
The shortlist is made up of three new dual carriageway roads and a single carriageway upgrade to the B1535, and all of the options also include improvements to the A1067 Fakenham Road.
A public consultation on these routes will run between Monday 26 November 2018 and Friday 18 January 2019. During the consultation, people will be asked for their views on the options and these responses will help the council identify a preferred option for a Norwich Western Link in spring 2019. The consultation is also an opportunity to tell the council about any relevant information they should consider before deciding on a preferred route.
People can find out more about the options and respond to the consultation online via www.norfolk.gov.uk/nwl from Monday 26 November. People can also respond in person, and ask any questions they may have, at a series of staffed consultation events taking place throughout the consultation period. Information on these events is below, all the events will run between 2 and 8pm unless otherwise stated and people can drop in at any point between these opening times.
Ringland Village Hall – Wednesday 28 November
Drayton Village Hall – Monday 3 December
The Forum, Norwich – Tuesday 4 December (12 – 5pm)
Hockering Village Hall – Wednesday 5 December
Easton Village Hall – Monday 10 December
Taverham Village Hall – Tuesday 11 December (12 – 6pm)
Hall for All, Weston Longville – Wednesday 12 December
Salvation Army Church, Fakenham – Friday 14 December
Aylsham Town Hall – Tuesday 8 January
Diamond Jubilee Lodge, Hellesdon – Thursday 10 January
Great Witchingham Village Hall – Friday 11 January
The Costessey Centre – Monday 14 January
Dereham Memorial Hall – Tuesday 15 January
Honingham Village Hall – Wednesday 16 January