Norwich residents will see major improvements to walking, cycling and public transport, following confirmation of funding from Central Government today.
Norfolk County Council has received formal confirmation from the Department of Transport (DfT) that a joint bid with the city council and district authorities of Broadland and South Norfolk has been accepted, triggering a combined investment in local infrastructure totalling £59m.
DfT has confirmed Norfolk County Council will receive £32 million from the Transforming Cities Fund.
The funding will deliver vital infrastructure improvements to improve travel times for bus passengers on the most popular transit routes, giving city bus operator, First Eastern Counties, confidence to invest a further £18m in its fleet and local services.
All projects will be delivered through the Transport for Norwich partnership, with an additional £9m being allocated from local council and private contributions.
Cllr Martin Wilby, Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport and chair of the transforming cities joint committee said: “I am delighted we’ve been able to secure this vital investment at such a crucial time for both the economy and the future of transport in the city.
“Retaining First Eastern Counties’ commitment to Norwich has been central to the partnership approach taken in developing our proposals. I am confident all of the projects we are now able to progress will deliver real benefit in terms of health, employment and the environment for years to come.”
Chris Starkie, chief executive of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Improvements to our transport infrastructure will open up job opportunities, access to training and help businesses thrive. The confirmation that this bid has been accepted is fantastic news, not only for Greater Norwich’s economy, but its environment and the region’s wider ambitions for clean growth.”
Projects earmarked for early delivery include improvements to Tombland which are already underway, a new bus and cycle contraflow on Thorpe Road and a major remodelling of St Stephens Street, for which details of a public consultation will be published tomorrow.
The £32m funding award from Government means that proposals for a new bus interchange at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, a redesign of the Heartsease roundabout and improvements to cycle and pedestrian crossing facilities on Boundary Road will also be able to move forward.
You can view full details of all projects covered by the fund at www.norfolk.gov.uk/transformingcities
