Tag: Norfolk County Council

The press release issued by Norfolk County Council on 9 November 2018.

Councillors on Norfolk County Council’s Environment, Development and Transport Committee have today (Friday, 9 November) approved four potential route options for a Norwich Western Link to put out to public consultation.

In 2016 the County Council made providing a Norwich Western Link, to connect the A47 and the western end of Broadland Northway (formerly Northern Distributor Road), one of its three infrastructure priorities.  This was in response to long-standing concerns about traffic congestion on roads and in communities to the west of Norwich and calls from many people to fill in what they saw as the ‘missing link’ between the A47 and Broadland Northway.

Last week officers at the Council published four possible options for a Norwich Western Link and asked councillors to consider and approve them ahead of a consultation which is due to launch later this month.  The shortlist comprised three new dual carriageway roads and a single carriageway upgrade to the B1535.

The Council received feedback from local parish councillors on the Norwich Western Link Liaison Group and the following minor amendments to the proposed routes were agreed at today’s Environment, Development and Transport Committee meeting at County Hall:

• The northern ends of options C and D and the southern ends of options B and C, which previously followed similar but not identical lines, now have the same alignment
• An alternative to how option D joins the A47 has been added.  This is due to Highways England’s plans to dual the section of the A47 between North Tuddenham and Easton.  There is currently limited detail available on the new junction location near Easton and, until more detail is known, the Council has accounted for the possibility of the junction being located near Blind Lane and Taverham Road or closer to the current Easton roundabout junction.

Cllr Martin Wilby, Chairman of Norfolk County Council’s Environment, Development and Transport Committee, said:  “I’m really pleased the committee were happy to include the feedback from local parish council representatives.  I think we have four really good options to put out to consultation and I would welcome as many responses as possible to help us identify the best possible route for a Norwich Western Link.”

The County Council will now proceed with a public consultation on the options between 26 November 2018 and 18 January 2019.  More detail on the routes will be published to coincide with the consultation’s launch and information on consultation events, where people will be able to talk to staff involved in the project and respond in person, will be made available shortly.

The shortlist is the culmination of months of work to identify which options would be most effective as a Norwich Western Link.  This work followed Department for Transport assessment guidelines and included traffic surveys and modelling, gathering information on environmental and ecological factors in the area and developing a longlist of road and non-road options.

While road options were found to be the most effective in isolation, the County Council will consider complementing these options with other transport measures such as walking and cycling routes and traffic management measures on other roads.

The shortlisted options were also informed by the results of an initial Norwich Western Link consultation which was held earlier this year.

The consultation had more than 1,700 responses and showed that 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.  Key transport issues identified by people through the consultation included slow journey times, rat running and roads not being suitable for the volume and type of traffic such as HGVs.

The press release issued by Norfolk County Council on 28 May 2021.

A £168 million Government investment in Norwich’s Western Link would boost Norfolk’s economy, reduce accidents and journey times and cut carbon emissions, a report reveals.

Norfolk County Council’s cabinet is set to consider the appointment of a main contractor for the project and submission of a business case to the Department for Transport (DfT).

The Government is being asked to cover 85 per cent of the project’s £198 million cost, leveraging vital national investment into the county. Under DfT criteria, the project represents “high value for money”.

Councillor Martin Wilby, cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure, said: “The Norwich Western Link is a crucial part of our plans to boost Norfolk’s recovery, through major infrastructure improvements and is a high priority in our plans.

“The Government has ruled this is high value for money, so we expect it to fund a massive injection of money into Norfolk, delivering a road that so many people and businesses want and showing their confidence in Norfolk.”

The proposed 3.8-mile road would link the Broadland Northway with the A47 and carry 30,000 vehicles per day. A report to cabinet says that the benefits include:

Significant reductions in north-south and south-north journey times, west of Norwich – boosting the economy
Improved access to employment sites and housing developments
Reduced accidents
Reduced rat-running through villages
Reductions in carbon emissions from vehicles
Investment in sustainable transport measures to support walking, cycling and public transport use.
An additional £22 million would be spent on environmental measures, including green bridges and wildlife underpasses, following extensive survey work.

Once cabinet has made its decision on Monday, 7 June, the full council will meet later that day and be asked to endorse their decision.

If the recommendations are approved, a pre-planning public consultation will start in the autumn. A planning application would follow in early 2022. If planning permission is granted, work would start in late 2023, with the road due to open in late 2025.

The press release issued by Norfolk County Council on 25 February 2022.

The Norwich Western Link’s design is being refined, to minimise the impact on woodland where a roost of protected barbastelle bats has been identified.

A report to the County Council’s Cabinet says it is being amended, following evidence from expert surveys organised by the Council – which is part of the usual design process for major road projects. The Council intends to provide more detail on project timescales and costs in June.

Councillor Martin Wilby, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: “There is strong support for the western link, as it will reduce journey times and emergency service response times, cut rat running through communities and boost our economy.

“We follow a very thorough process with major infrastructure projects and detailed ecological surveys, conducted by accredited experts, are part of this.

“In the light of the evidence gathered through our surveys, we are working with our contractors, Ferrovial and WSP, to refine the route.

“We have always said we would deliver the project in an environmentally responsible way and this is further evidence of that commitment.

“It’s important that we get this right and provide the best possible road for Norfolk. We intend to provide more detail in June.”

The report says: “The Norwich Western Link project aims to achieve biodiversity net gain on all applicable habitats. Extensive ecological surveys were undertaken in 2019 and 2020 and this information formed part of the ecological baseline data used to develop the scheme design.

“In the summer of 2021, a suite of further bat surveys was carried out to support the understanding of bat activity. All surveys have been carried out by accredited experts and have included bat trapping and radio-tracking fully agreed with and licenced by Natural England.

“Following analysis of the data obtained from the 2021 surveys, it was determined that there is a roost location used by a maternity colony of barbastelle bats (that has a significant level of environmental protection) near to part of the proposed road alignment.

‘Therefore, as part of the ongoing scheme design development, work is currently being undertaken to assess, refine and develop the relevant length of the route alignment of the scheme and to assess and address the need for mitigation to minimise the impact of the scheme on the relevant area of woodland.”

A map indicating the route refinement is included in the cabinet reports and the council intends to provide further detail on the route and project costs at the cabinet meeting on June 7.

The press release issued by Norfolk County Council on 24 June 2022.

Cost rises mean Norfolk County Council could spend £8m more on the Norwich Western Link – but it remains value for money, bringing major benefits.

Due largely to inflation and refining part of the route to protect barbastelle bat roosts, the road’s total bill has risen from £198m  to £251m.

A report to the County Council’s cabinet says that the 3.9 mile-long road still represents value for money under the Government’s criteria, as it would bring major economic, transport and air quality benefits to Norfolk

It says:

• The overall cost has risen to £251 million, largely due to inflation
• The Council had already asked the Government to fund 85 per cent of the total and will seek the same percentage now the cost has risen – which would mean a £213m Government investment in Norfolk
• The County Council’s share of the bill would rise £7.9m to £37.7m

The report recommends that councillors proceed with the road, as it still represents high value for money and will bring major benefits, including:

• Improved journey times, reduction in accidents, easing of rat-running through villages and better air quality
• A boost to the economy, through reduced journey times and improved productivity
• A likely reduction in carbon emissions ranging from 177,000 tonnes to 350,000 tonnes, when carbon from constructing and using the road is taken into account

County Council leader, Councillor Andrew Proctor, said: “No cost increases are welcome but inflation and cost of living rises are affecting us all and they are hitting major transport schemes across the country.

“The report is clear that the case for the road remains strong; that it would still represent high value for money; and that it could attract substantial Government investment.

“This week’s Government decision to fund the dualling of the A47 between Blofield and North Burlingham shows that there is confidence in Norfolk’s infrastructure plans and that bodes well for the western link.

“My cabinet will look at this report in detail on 4th July and consider all the facts carefully, before taking a decision in the best interests of Norfolk.”

Councillor Martin Wilby, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: “Despite the increased costs, there is a strong case for the Norwich western link.

“Building it would enable us to reduce congestion, cut journey times, tackle rat running through villages and form part of a wider series of transport improvements in and around Norwich.”

Councillor Andrew Jamieson, cabinet member for finance, said: “We have been very transparent in this report about the cost increase, the reasons for it and what it could mean for the county council’s contribution.

“An £8m increase in the County Council’s contribution could be covered by prudential borrowing and would not lead to any cuts to services.”

The report says the benefits of the Norwich Western Link are:

Significantly reducing many journey times to the west of Norwich, with some more than halving, and shortening response times for many ambulances travelling to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital;

• Reducing carbon emissions from vehicles by making many journeys more efficient, which supports local and national carbon reduction targets and improves air quality around Norwich;
• Boosting Norfolk’s economy and support its businesses by reducing transport costs, opening up new markets and increasing productivity through quicker and more reliable journeys;
• Improving road safety, with over 500 fewer accidents involving a motor vehicle over the next 60 years;
• Taking traffic off unsuitable local roads though communities including Weston Longville, which will see a reduction of approximately 80% in through traffic, leading to an improved quality of life for local residents from an environmental and safety perspective and supporting people to walk, cycle and use public transport;
• Creating new habitats and improving existing ones across a wide area to the west of Norwich to support a range of wildlife and provide connectivity through green bridges and wildlife underpasses

The press release issued by Norfolk County Council on 24 January 2020.

Norfolk County Council’s cabinet is being asked to approve the procurement approach that would lead to the appointment of a contractor for its Norwich Western Link project.

The Norwich Western Link, a new dual carriageway road between the western end of Broadland Northway and the A47, was made an infrastructure priority by the council in 2016 and a preferred route was agreed in July 2019. Together with the planned dualling of the A47 between North Tuddenham and Easton, the new road would create a fully dualled orbital route around Norwich, reducing the need for traffic to enter the city and alleviating local transport issues to the west of Norwich.

Cllr Martin Wilby, Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, said: “We’ve had initial discussions with several potential bidders and are expecting a healthy level of interest in the contract for the Norwich Western Link.

“The procurement approach proposed requires the successful contractor to develop and take responsibility for the detailed design and construction of the project. This reduces the risk of changes needing to be made to the design at a later stage and gives more opportunity for bidders to suggest innovative ideas, helping to keep costs down and getting the best overall result for Norfolk.”

The council’s cabinet is also being asked to approve a proposal for a public consultation on specific elements of the Norwich Western Link in spring this year. Views will be sought on proposals for the local roads that cross the preferred route and the project’s developing sustainable transport strategy, which aims to enable an increase in walking, cycling and public transport use.

The feedback received will be used to inform the design of the project by the bidders during the procurement process. A further public consultation on the design developed with input from the successful contractor is scheduled at the end of 2020/early 2021, ahead of the planning application being submitted.

The report will be considered when cabinet meets at 10am on Monday 3 February.

The press release issued by Norfolk County Council on 15 July 2019.

A preferred route for a new link road that would significantly improve travel between the A47 and Broadland Northway west of Norwich has been agreed by Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet today (Monday 15 July).

The Norwich Western Link is one of the County Council’s key infrastructure priorities and is needed to reduce traffic congestion, rat-running and delays to journeys on minor roads to the west of Norwich. There is strong support from the public, the business community, emergency services, local councils and MPs for a link road to be created.

Having considered and discussed a report on the Norwich Western Link for around an hour, the Council’s Cabinet members agreed with officers’ recommendation and approved Option C as the preferred route.

The Norwich Western Link preferred route is a 3.9 mile dual carriageway that would link from the roundabout at the western end of Broadland Northway (formerly the NDR), cross the River Wensum on a viaduct and join the A47 via an improved junction at Wood Lane, which forms part of Highways England’s plan to dual the A47 between North Tuddenham and Easton.

Cllr Andrew Proctor, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “We need good transport networks in Norfolk to enable our communities and businesses to thrive and to give people a better quality of life. A brand new high standard road between Broadland Northway and the A47 is badly needed to tackle the traffic problems in this area, which are likely to only increase with the long-term population and business growth set to take place in and around Norwich.

“The Norwich Western Link will also help to reduce emergency response times, including to the nearby Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, and improve access to Norwich Airport, Norwich Research Park and the new Food Enterprise Zone, all of which have ambitions to grow and create more jobs in the months and years ahead.”

Cllr Martin Wilby, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport at Norfolk County Council, said: “This is an important day for the county. We know there is strong backing for this link road to be created and agreeing the preferred route takes us another step closer to starting construction in late 2022.

“We’re very conscious of our responsibilities in making the Norwich Western Link a reality, to local residents, to the environment and to delivering the best outcome for the whole of Norfolk. This route balances all these considerations, limiting environmental impacts, having a high cost-to-benefit ratio, reducing congestion and rat-running on existing roads, minimising the impact on communities and properties, and receiving considerable support through our recent consultation.”

The total cost of delivering the Norwich Western Link, including inflation, is estimated at £153m and, subject to securing funding and completing necessary statutory processes, the County Council is aiming to open the road to traffic in early 2025. Together with the A47 dualling between North Tuddenham and Easton, due to get underway in early 2022, this would create a fully dual carriageway orbital route around Norwich.

Also at today’s Cabinet meeting, councillors agreed to submit a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) to the Department for Transport for the Norwich Western Link, which would enable it to be considered for funding as a Large Local Major scheme. The SOBC will be submitted by the end of July subject to the Norwich Western Link being identified as a priority scheme by Transport East, the sub-national transport body that covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Southend-on-Sea.

The Cabinet also agreed to bring forward around £1.5m of spending on the Norwich Western Link in order to maintain the project’s timetable.

Protecting the environment

The alignment and elements of the design of the preferred route for the Norwich Western Link would limit environmental impacts, but mitigation measures would also be put in place to minimise any adverse impacts and, where possible, enhance the environment in the area.

The aim of achieving ‘biodiversity net gain’ means the project would leave habitats for wildlife in a measurably better state than before construction began. This would be achieved through, for example, creating new habitats, planting and including features such as green bridges.

The project will have no adverse impacts on the integrity of the River Wensum Special Area of Conservation, which can be achieved through, for example, the design of the viaduct. We have consulted Natural England and the Environment Agency and they consider that if a new road is required, a new viaduct would be an acceptable solution subject to appropriate design and construction methods.

A Norwich Western Link Ecology Liaison Group is also being established, involving representatives from local nature conservation groups with the purpose of sharing information and ideas and providing in-depth local insight on ecological matters.

Wider transport context

There are ambitious transport plans for Norwich as part of the ‘Transport for Norwich’ initiative, with a focus on increasing public transport usage and supporting people to walk and cycle where journey distances are appropriate.

Part of the plan to improve the way people travel within the city is the need to provide adequate transport infrastructure so that those trips that don’t need to be routed through the city have viable alternatives, such as the outer ring road, associated radial routes and Broadland Northway. The Norwich Western Link would form part of this improved infrastructure.

In addition, Greater Norwich has been shortlisted as one of 12 city areas to apply for a share of the Department for Transport’s (DfT’s) £1.2bn Transforming Cities Fund. The fund aims to make it easier for people to access jobs, training and retail, and also aims to respond to issues around air quality.

In January 2019, Norfolk County Council, in partnership with Norwich City Council, Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council, was awarded £6.1m from an initial £60m pot, which included funding for improvements to Norwich Bus Station, investment in the blue and green pedalway routes in Hethersett and Thorpe St Andrew, and car and bike share schemes. The TfN team are now working with DfT on detailed proposals in order to apply for further funding.

Complementary transport measures

One of the Norwich Western Link’s project objectives is to encourage people to shift the way they travel to use more sustainable forms of transport, such as walking, cycling and public transport.

The traffic relief the new dual carriageway road would provide on existing minor roads and through communities in the area would contribute to this by creating a more pleasant environment in which people could feel more confident walking or cycling. The Norwich Western Link will also provide opportunities for improvements in public transport routes and bus journey time reliability due to reduced traffic along existing routes.

Now that a preferred route has been agreed, a package of complementary transport measures will be developed, designed to support people to transfer journeys, particularly those over shorter distances, from using motorised vehicles to travelling on foot or by bike.

Introducing traffic measures designed to limit the amount, speed and type of vehicles using the existing road network in the area will also be considered as part of the project.

Public consultations

An initial consultation on transport issues in the area to the west of Norwich was carried out in the Summer of 2018. More than 1,700 responses were received in total. The consultation found there was very strong support for creating a new link, with 86% of respondents to a question about which options they wanted the council to consider in order to tackle transport issues in the area selecting a new road link between the A47 and Broadland Northway.

This strong support was also evidenced through the responses a consultation on a shortlist of road options in winter 2018/19. More than 1,900 people responded and 77% of respondents either agreed or mostly agreed when asked to what extent they agreed there was a need for a Norwich Western Link.

Through the same consultation, people were asked to select any of the shortlisted options they would support as a Norwich Western Link. People were also able to select ‘none of them, do nothing’ and ‘none of them, but something should be done’.

Of all the road options, Option D ranked as the most popular solution with Option C the second most popular. Option B was notably less popular and Option A the least popular. The ‘do nothing’ option received a similar amount of support as Option B and ‘none of them, but something should be done’ was the least popular choice overall.

The press release issued by Norfolk County Council on 25 June 2021.

Norfolk County Council has awarded the contract to design and build the Norwich Western Link to Ferrovial Construction, a leading construction and engineering company.

Ferrovial Construction will start work immediately alongside the council’s existing project team to further develop the design of the Norwich Western Link, including the new 3.8 mile dual carriageway road between the A47 and Broadland Northway and many of its associated measures.

This work will feed into the pre-planning application public consultation which is scheduled for the autumn, which in turn will inform the planning application for the project, due to be submitted in early 2022.

Cllr Martin Wilby, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, said: “Ferrovial Construction have a great track record in designing and building large-scale infrastructure projects and will bring specialist expertise to the project, including in relation to the design of the viaduct across the River Wensum.

“Creating the Norwich Western Link is a priority for this council and it’s vital to ensuring we have the right infrastructure in place to not only tackle existing congestion and delays but to accommodate future population and job growth. We’re looking forward to working with Ferrovial Construction to deliver such an important project for Norfolk.”

Karl Goose, UK Managing Director, Ferrovial Construction, said: “We are delighted to have been selected to deliver the Norwich Western Link. We will be bringing our expertise and experience at delivering highways projects in the UK, Ireland and around the world to provide Norfolk County Council and the region with a world-class piece of infrastructure.

“We will be delivering this project with local teams, opening new opportunities for people in Norfolk and a gateway to careers in the industry and sustainable career development paths.”

Ferrovial Construction were the highest scoring bidder from a competitive procurement process for the project which began in summer 2020 and during which they began developing their proposals for the project. Their appointment today followed a decision by the county council’s cabinet earlier this month to award the contract.

At the same meeting cabinet members also agreed to approve the outline business case for the Norwich Western Link, and this has now been submitted to the Department for Transport. The business case demonstrated that the project would provide high value for money, significantly reduce many journey times to the west of Norwich, improve road safety and reduce carbon emissions from vehicles. If the outline business case is approved, this would provide a funding commitment from government which is expected to cover 85% of the £198 million total project costs.

The press release issued by Norfolk County Council on 1 January 2023.

Western Link Benefits (in .pdf format)