Norwich Society criticise county council Dereham Road revamp

Major changes to the layout of Dereham Road at the junction with Grapes Hill were proposed last month by Norfolk County Council which would see existing lanes altered and kerbs moved to help traffic flow. 

However, the proposal - which is part of nearly £50m awarded to the council for its Bus Service Improvement Plan - have been scrutinised by The Norwich Society, which wrote to the council to object the project.

There will be four major changes made in total if approved (Image: Norfolk County Council)

The charity questioned the council's claim the intended shortening of the existing bus lane - shown on the plans - was beneficial to traffic flow as well as the decision to trim back a well used pedestrian pavement.

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It comes after cabinet member for highways and transport, Graham Plant, came under fire earlier this month for his comments about the junction being unsuitable for cyclists during a meeting about the changes.

A Norwich Society spokesman said: "Norfolk County Council have given the game away, because this project is just another expensive and disruptive road-widening scheme to benefit increased numbers of private vehicles.

Cabinet member for highways and transport, Graham Plant, came under fire recently after claiming the busy junction was not promoted as a cycle route (Image: Norfolk County Council)

"Yet they persist in trying to dress it up as some kind of a bus priority measure, when clearly it isn't.

"There are many ways of improving public transport but taking away pedestrian space to create more room for cars and making things harder for cyclists is no way to do this.

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"There needs to be a proper explanation as to why proper bus-targeted solutions haven't been considered that might actually benefit the city."

The project is estimated to cost between £200 - £250K and could take 12 to 16 weeks to complete if approved (Image: Newsquest)

In its letter replying to the independent civic charity, the county council argued that the existing road layout was inefficient and the modifications would "optimise the junction".

It added that consideration had been given to bicycle users and the scheme would make the environment "safer for all road users". 

The estimated cost is said to be "in the region of £200 to £250K" and anticipated to be completed within 12 to 16 weeks should the proposal go ahead.