Norwich Western Link road project a step closer
The government has approved the outline business case for Norfolk County Council’s Norwich Western Link project.
This will see a new 3.9-mile dual carriageway road built to the west of Norwich with the aim of cutting traffic congestion, reducing journey times and improving air quality for those living in homes in and around the city.
The decision is likely to have an impact on the planning, development and construction of new homes in the future, as well as house prices and location desirability.
Norfolk County Council’s leader, Councillor Kay Mason Billig, said: “I’m delighted the government is showing its confidence in Norfolk by supporting the Norwich Western Link.
“This will make a huge difference to local people, tackling congestion and poor air quality.
“It enables us to complete this long overdue ring road around Norwich and unlock further opportunities for economic growth – providing more of the high-skilled, well-paid jobs that Norfolk needs.
“It’s a great example of how Norfolk stands ready to deliver ambitious projects and we look forward to further government support, a fairer share of national funding and to unlocking our great potential.”
Cllr Graham Plant, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure at Norfolk County Council, said the announcement gives a commitment from central government to fund the majority of the cost of the project.
Jerome Mayhew, MP for Broadland, said: “I am delighted that this much-needed government investment has been secured for Broadland and Norfolk.
“My Norfolk parliamentary colleagues and I have been working closely with Norfolk County Council in Parliament to get this funding approved by HM Treasury and the Department for Transport.
“Not only will this ease traffic congestion on our local roads network, it will help bring over £200 million of national investment into our region and support access to ambitious growth plans at three major employment and enterprise hubs in greater Norwich.
“This represents major government investment for my constituency and our wider region.”
The Norwich Western Link will complete a fully dualled orbital route around Norwich, together with National Highways’ project to dual the A47 between North Tuddenham and Easton.
The new road aims to provide a free-flowing, reliable route for traffic seeking to get to and from the north of the city, and will improve access to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich Airport and the Food Enterprise Park at Easton.
In combination with Broadland Northway, it aims to provide a high-standard alternative route to help to keep traffic moving when there are issues such as roadworks or collisions on other major roads, including the Norwich outer ring road and the A47.