The report published by the CPRE in 2017 entitled “The End of the Road? Challenging the Road-Building Consensus”.
CPRE Report (in .pdf format)
Category: Transportation
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CPRE – 2021 Letter to Norfolk County Council on Norwich Western Link
The letter sent by CPRE to Norfolk County Council on 1 June 2021.
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![Natalie Bennett – 2021 Comments on the Environment and Norwich Western Link [Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/nataliebennett-150x150.jpg)
Natalie Bennett – 2021 Comments on the Environment and Norwich Western Link [Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle]
The comments made by Natalie Bennett, Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, in the House of Lords on 15 September 2021.
My Lords, I have to question the description given by the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, of HS2 as affecting a
“small area of ancient woodland”,
given that the Woodland Trust says that 108 areas of ancient woodland are at risk of “loss or damage”. However, it will probably please your Lordships’ House to know that I will not restart the HS2 debate at this moment.
I will focus on Amendment 100, to which we in the Green Party would have attached one of our names, had there been space. We are talking about something very ancient and precious, and we can make comparisons with cathedrals and indeed with your Lordships’ House. I was on the site of what is supposed to be the Norwich western link, standing at the base of an oak tree that was a sapling when Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne. An ancient woodland containing trees like that is comparable to your Lordships’ House or a cathedral. Think about the protections we offer to those and all the money we are thinking about putting in to preserving this building; we are in a different place on that.
We often think of ancient woodland as being out in the countryside somewhere. I want to be a little parochial and point out that Sheffield has 80 ancient woodlands within its boundary. I want to think and talk about the benefits to human health and well-being of having these ancient woodlands—indeed, London has some of them, and, when I lived here, I used to walk in them as well. They have enormous human health benefits that we have to take account of.
Returning to the subject of walking through ancient woodland in Sheffield or the threatened woodland in Norwich, we are talking about not just trees here but crucial, utterly irreplaceable habitats for bats and insects. These woodlands would have a chance truly to flourish without air pollution and other factors. Lichens and mosses—crucial, complex organisms that are absolutely foundational to rich, healthy ecosystems—depend on those ancient trees to thrive and indeed survive. So I commend both these amendments to your Lordships’ House, and I encourage the noble Baroness to press Amendment 100 in particular to a vote.
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Jerome Mayhew – 2022 Comments on the Norwich Western Link
The comments made by Jerome Mayhew, the Conservative MP for Broadland, in the House of Commons on 18 January 2022.
Jerome Mayhew
I disagree with the hon. Member for Norwich South (Clive Lewis) about the western link road. We have created, essentially, an orbital route around Norwich, but rather like the situation with the M25 and the Thames, we have decided not to build the bridge. It is very damaging to connectivity, particularly for the north-east of the county getting access to the physical markets in the rest of the country—
Clive Lewis
The hon. Gentleman talks about a bridge over the Thames, but this is a massive road bulldozed through an ecologically sensitive area. There were options to go over the most ecologically sensitive parts, but they were a bit more expensive and were rejected. I think that point needs to be made.
Jerome Mayhew
I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s intervention. It is also a bridge over the River Wensum, as he knows. A consultation was undertaken and, taking that into account, the best route was reached. It deals with a huge amount of rat-running and links north Norfolk to the rest of the country.
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Chloe Smith – 2019 Statement on the Norwich Western Link
The statement made by Chloe Smith, the Conservative MP for Norwich North, on 21 February 2019.
Ensuring that Norwich has the transport infrastructure it needs is one of my key priorities for the local area. It was really useful to meet with colleagues from Norfolk County Council recently to hear about the need for the Western Link and to have an update on council’s plans for our roads network.
The Western Link is a proposed section of road that links the newly built Northern Distributor Road and the A47. Norfolk County Council is considering different options on the precise location of the Western Link Road.
Encouraging people to have their say in how our County makes decisions is also something I think is really important, which is why I actively encouraged Norwich North residents to take part in the County Council’s consultation to have their say on the options available.
Now the consultation period has concluded, Norfolk County Council will consider the responses it has received from the public and affected stakeholders, before publishing the consultation findings.
I have personally been a big supporter of the Northern Distributor Road and the Western Link to create a complete northern link from the west of Norwich to the business park to the east. This complete link will allow traffic to flow better around the north of Norwich; this will allow businesses to benefit from quicker transportation times, which means more investment and more jobs, and it will help people simply to get about more easily in their everyday lives.
I was proud to lead the lobbying by Norfolk MPs to secure the extra funding to make the NDR a reality and am proud to support plans to build the final quarter of the road, the ‘Western Link’.
Earlier this month, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport, together with other Norfolk MPs in relation to transport priorities for the East and urged him to prioritise three areas:
1. The full dualling of the A47, including the Acle Straight, after completing the current committed works, and consideration of the Western Link between the A47 and the Norwich Northern Distributor Road
2. The feasibility study and associated actions to improve the Ely North rail junction – to unlock half hourly train services to King’s Lynn and Norwich from Cambridge.
3. The promises already made by this Government to make infrastructure improvements to the Great Eastern Mainline so that the new rolling stock will enable ‘Norwich in Ninety’ across the whole timetable rather than the short form promoted in this franchise
I will continue to support Norfolk County Council in taking forward their plans for the Western Link Road and will be writing on their behalf to the Department for Transport seeking an update on the funding decision for the Transforming Cities project.
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Norfolk County Council – 2016 Technical Report on the Norwich Western Link
The technical report issued by Norfolk County Council on 1 June 2016.
Technical Report (in .pdf format)
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Norfolk County Council – 2021 Outline Business Case for the Norwich Western Link
The business case for the Norwich Western Link published on 1 June 2021.
Outline Business Case (in .pdf format)
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Clive Lewis – 2022 Statement on the Norwich Western Link
The statement made by Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South, on 18 May 2022.
Bulldozers could soon be tearing through a pristine area of natural beauty and biodiversity to make way for the Western Link. This fossil fuel infrastructure and ecological destruction is not what Norwich needs.
The river Wensum and the rich ecology in the Wensum Valley is part of our shared environment, a natural corridor for wildlife, and a beautiful area in its own right that should be preserved so we can all continue to access and enjoy it.
This is why I support the campaign to stop the Western Link road being built.
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Emma Corlett – 2023 Interview on the Norwich Western Link
The interview with Emma Corlett, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Group on Norfolk County Council, on 1 January 2023.
(i) Are the Labour group on Norfolk County Council opposing the project primarily on the cost or environmental grounds?
Our initial opposition and manifesto position was on environmental grounds and in favour of investing in public transport infrastructure. Over the past eighteen months concerns about the rocketing cost have given an additional dimension to our steadfast opposition to the proposed road.
(ii) Is the suggested need for the road simply a legacy of an inadequate public transport system in the county?
In part, but also a failure of a vision by the council as strategic transport authority that genuinely addresses the climate crisis, tackles social inequality (see car ownership stats below for 2011 census – 2021 not yet available but we anticipate being worse due to austerity of past twelve years). It is also ideologically driven in that the ruling Tory administration have a very outdated view of “growth” and are not focussed on sustainable and inclusive growth. They love leaving a “legacy” and like 1970s style legacy infrastructure projects such as this road.
Households with no car (2011 census)
Norwich 33%
Great Yarmouth 28%
King’s Lynn & West Norfolk 17%
North Norfolk 17%
Broadland 12%
South Norfolk 12%
(iii) Do you agree with the council’s suggestion that the road is essential for economic growth or do you feel that there are alternatives?
No, we do not agree the road is essential for economic growth. There are greater priorities in the County that would bring sustainable growth such as in integrated and affordable public transport system to get people around the county not just for work and education but for leisure and social life. People will spend money in the local economy if they can access it easily and cheaply. It would also boost sustainable tourism. Our vision for ‘growth’ is based on the principles of the Green New Deal (eg, Pettifor’s Case for A Green New Deal – the Ecologist – Ann Pettifor) rather than the outdated vision of growth that we are being presented with. Norfolk is well placed to develop the renewable energy sector. We face a social care crisis and investment in the social care skills and workforce would pay dividends with the challenge of a rapidly aging population.
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ISSUE OF THE WEEK 1 : Balancing Economic Growth with Protecting the Environment – the Norwich Western Link Road
The planned road from Broadland Northway roundabout (Norfolk County Council) This is the first in our ‘issue of the week’ series which are designed to collect information and resources together about specific matters of political debate. Although we are publishing a number of documents every week for each new issue, we will also continually add new resources to these pages to make them as comprehensive as possible. We also hope that students will find the topics useful as a starting point for research on matters of political interest.
For this week’s ‘issue’, we’re looking at how politicians can balance economic growth whilst also protecting the environment, especially on matters of infrastructure projects. One of these current debates is in Norfolk, East Anglia, with the planned Norwich Western Link. We have interviews with Martin Wilby, a Conservative councillor and the Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport at Norfolk County Council, and also the campaign group established to oppose the road, Stop the Wensum Link. Listed below, we also have additional interviews we have conducted, as well as collecting together past statement and policy positions from charities, pressure groups and individuals.
The council are supporting the road (the route of which is visible in the council’s own video above) as they argue that it completes the ring of roads (the Southern Bypass which opened in 1992 and the Norwich Northern Distributor Route – which is formally known as the Broadland Northway – which opened in April 2018) around Norwich and will improve transport links in the county. Although Norfolk County Council are the main movers of the project, it is also supported by the majority of other councils in Norfolk, although Norwich City Council oppose the road as it promoted car dependency in the area. The road construction is supported by numerous organisations including Norfolk Fire Service and also the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital who believe on balance that it would be beneficial because of reduced ambulance conveyancing times, as well as Norfolk Chambers of Commerce who say it will meet “our growth ambitions”. Norfolk Constabulary stated that they supported the road as “it would be useful to have the Western Link Road completed which would save officers time when they are on an emergency call rather than go partially around the route and then have to traverse through the city roads”.
However, the reason this section of road was not constructed along with the Broadland Northway was explained by the council stating in their executive summary in 2008:
“[The public consultation led to] strong environmental concerns being expressed about the impact of a new road across the River Wensum Special Area of Conservation (SAC) to which the County Council responded by carrying out further assessment beyond a Stage 2 level to ascertain whether the impact on the SAC could be mitigated. The conclusion was that it could not be demonstrated that the new road would not affect the integrity of the SAC. Alongside this, traffic modelling indicated that a road starting at the A1067 in the west rather than the A47 gave significant benefits and delivered most of the objectives of the NDR scheme and these were key factors in the decision to choose the preferred route as now proposed.”
These environmental concerns are based around the land which would need to be crossed which is the rare chalk stream habitat of the Wensum Valley. The council’s proposals include a bridge across the River Wensum itself, but opponents question whether this would significantly damage not just the natural environment, but also be damaging visually and cause noise issues during both the construction of the road and then from traffic using it. Stop the Wensum Link point to the environmental mitigation measures on the Norwich Broadland Northway and say that these “had failed” with the council’s own inspection report showing issues.
The council are arguing that after reviewing transport usage that this section should now be built. After some initial research and site investigations, there were four suggested routes for the new road which went to a wider consultation and review, with the council preferring route C. Although this consultation is now closed, details of all of the routes are still visible at https://nwloptions.commonplace.is/. The council have organised a number of events explaining the need for the road and they also published the results of the 2018 public consultation exercise.
The council argue that there are economic benefits to the road, stating that the environmental issues can be mitigated. Others argue that the environmental impact is too damaging and the CPRE produced a report with evidence that road projects simply generate more traffic. The Government believe that new infrastructure is necessary for the economy, with the Western Link road being listed in the Government’s September 2022 Growth Plan. Other pressure groups, such as the Campaign for Better Transport, have argued that sustainable transport can reduce the need for new roads and have published a research paper entitled Roads and the Environment. The new road is opposed by environmental groups including Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Friends of the Earth, the Woodland Trust, Norfolk Rivers Trust and the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists’ Society.
Opponents of the scheme also argue that roads are only necessary because there are a lack of alternative public transport options, with some suggesting that despite environmental concerns the Government is too ready to provide financing for new road projects. The council have also had to amend their preferred route slightly due to the presence of bats in the area, which are a protected species. There is also the challenge of providing access to the road for pedestrians and cyclists, with Norwich Cycling Campaign stating their opposition to the current proposals as they don’t include cycle lanes which the group says is necessary to keep cyclists safe. Other public transport organisations such as First Eastern Counties Buses said that they supported the road because they believed that it would “reduce congestion” in the area. A representative from KonectBus also stated that they supported the Western Link, but wanted the road “to be built as close to the Longwater junction as possible” in their public consultation submission.
Part of the land that would be crossed by the road (copyright UKPOL) The current cost of the 3.9 mile long road is estimated to be around £251 million, an increase on the previous estimate of £198 million, although opponents of the project have suggested that the final total might be closer to £300 million. The project requires the financial backing of the Department for Transport, who would provide 85% of the total funding. The Government is also committed to continuing a road building programme, but have stated that they are focused on the Strategic Road Network being net zero. However, there is still a significant cost to the council and Stop the Wensum Link note on their web-site:
“Norfolk County Council already have a deficit of £39M, forcing them to hike council tax 3% this year. With construction costs spiralling, high inflation and stagnating wages, throwing more money at building this road makes no sense. Increasing costs and an already debt laden council threatens vital services and risks further tax rises.”
Although the Government’s growth plan of September 2022 mentioned the road, this was under Liz Truss’s brief premiership and no guarantees have been given to the council on whether funding will still be made available. Liz Truss had been in support of the road before becoming Prime Minister and as she was a Norfolk MP, it had seemed very likely that her government would have backed the plans. With Rishi Sunak now Prime Minister, a final decision on the funding is expected to be made in 2023 with the Government needing to balance the economic argument alongside a growing demand for action to be taken to protect the environment and there is also the backdrop of potential national spending cuts being needed to balance the books.
If the funding is made available, the current timetable for the road construction is:
Mid-2022 – Pre-planning application public consultation
Spring 2023 – Submit planning application
Late 2023 – Public inquiry (if required)
Mid-2024 – Full Business Case submitted to the Department for Transport
Late 2024 – Start of construction
Late 2026 – Norwich Western Link open for useThis road is an example of the challenges which local Government have in trying to balance economic growth and the environment. It also shows the cost of embarking on these projects and the substantial amount of work that has to take place to get them to a stage where funding can be secured. For those opposing schemes such as this, there are financial challenges as councils have funding to help them make a business case for a new road, whereas campaigning organisations often have to fund raise to secure their monies. They also often have to be creative in how they can get publicity for their work, with the Stop the Wensum Link group holding numerous events and having a strong social media presence.
Whether or not the road is built, this is likely to be an important case that is watched by other councils and governmental bodies to see how the environmental impact is dealt with. It also shows how much work local councillors have to put in to these projects, often facing opposition to their plans and needing to constantly respond to that. But, on the flip side, it also shows how much work and energy that volunteer campaigners put in towards monitoring projects and putting together arguments to help protect the environment. These are complex arguments and why it is perhaps important for individuals to become engaged in politics to fight for their beliefs to ensure that the best decisions are made.
For readers, we have listed a wide variety of resources below which may help those who are undecided on whether they support this road project and ones like it. We will continue to add to this list and continue to secure more interviews as the project continues.
KEY INTERVIEWS
INTERVIEWS, RESOURCES AND COMMENTS
Emma Corlett, Deputy Leader Labour Group of Norfolk County Council
Ben Price, Leader of Green Party Group of Norfolk Council Council
Chloe Smith, Conservative MP for Norwich North
Chloe Smith – 2019 Letter to Norfolk County Council on Norwich Western Link
Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South
George Freeman, Conservative MP for Mid Norfolk
Jerome Mayhew, Conservative MP for Broadland
Natalie Bennett, Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (former Leader of the Green Party)
Nova Fairbank, Norfolk Chambers of Commerce
Norfolk County Council – Key Benefits of the Road
Norfolk County Council – 2016 Technical Report for the Road
Norfolk County Council – 2021 Outline Business Case for the Road
Norfolk County Council – 2022 Addendum to Business Case
10 Myths About the Western Link – Stop the Wensum Link
CPRE Letter to Norfolk County Council Opposing Road
Report to Breckland District Council’s Cabinet
Bat Conservation Trust’s Position Statement
First Eastern Counties Buses Letter of Support for the Project
PRESS RELEASES
[The county council also have their own extensive timeline of documents at https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/major-projects-and-improvement-plans/norwich/norwich-western-link/timeline]
Amended route options approved as Norwich Western Link shortlist – 09/11/2018 [Norfolk County Council]
Road Link Across Wensum Valley Would Cause Irreversible Harm – 15/01/2019 [Norwich Green Party]
Western Link for NDR options are unacceptable, says NWT – 11/01/2019 [Norfolk Wildlife Trust]
Grave concerns as Norwich Western Link route approved – 16/07/2019 [Norfolk Wildlife Trust]
Preferred route for Norwich Western Link agreed by councillors – 25/07/2019 [Norfolk County Council]
Cabinet asked to agree council’s approach to appoint Norwich Western Link contractor – 24/01/2020 [Norfolk County Council]
NDR Western Link – Net Gain is not enough – 03/02/2020 [Norfolk Wildlife Trust]
NWT reaction to conditional support for Western Link road – 18/05/2020 [Norfolk Wildlife Trust]
NDR Western Link – Norfolk Wildlife Trust will object – 02/09/2020 [Norfolk Wildlife Trust]
Western Link threatens probable largest barbastelle bat colony in UK – 01/12/2020 [Norfolk Wildlife Trust]
Norwich Western Link contractor announced – 25/06/2021 [Norfolk County Council]
Ferrovial Construction Awarded Norwich Western Link Project – 25/06/2021 [Ferrovial Construction]
The Wensum Link – What About Cycling? -22 August 2021 [Norwich Cycling Campaign]
Maternity colony for rare bats continues to be under threat from proposed road route – 06/12/2021 [Norfolk Wildlife Trust]
National Highways announce new environmental sustainability division as it targets net zero – 07/01/2022 [National Highways]
Campaigners from Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have signed a joint statement calling for greener priorities in Transport East’s 30-year plan -31/01/2022 [Stop the Wensum Link]
Western Link’s design refined following bat surveys – 25/02/2022 [Norfolk County Council]
Norwich Western Link remains catastrophic for wildlife despite route changes – 04/07/2022 [Norfolk Wildlife Trust]
The Western Link: What would happen to our wildlife? – 08/08/2022 [Norfolk Wildlife Trust]
Our Open Letter, in objection to the Norwich Western Link – 17/08/2022 [Norfolk Wildlife Trust]
Western link still represents value for money, despite cost increase – 24/06/2022 [Norfolk County Council]
EXTERNAL LINKS
Norfolk County Council – Western Link Road
Norfolk Wildlife Trust – Western Link Road
Norwich Western Link – Campaign Web-Site Opposing the Road
Imperial College Business School Report – Are new roads worth the money?
Guardian News Article – Norfolk road report rewritten to remove warning of risk to bats
The wood and the road: my battle to save an irreplaceable ecosystem
Andrew Boswell’s Crowd Justice Campaign to Stop Road Building