Have your say on proposals to improve busy Norwich junction

Plans to improve the Dereham Road junction with Grapes Hill in Norwich are open for consultation, with the aim of delivering better journey times for all road users and helping to improve reliability for bus services in the process.

The project proposals are to create more space for buses and general traffic on the approach to the junction to help relieve congestion, which is currently causing delays for those passing through.

This project is part of a series of improvements in the city, aimed at improving bus journey times and reliability of services across the public transport network.

Funding for the project is through the county council's Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which was awarded nearly £50m from the Department for Transport (DfT) to improve bus services and infrastructure facilities throughout the county, including in Norwich, King's Lynn and Great Yarmouth.

Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: "We're using funding awarded to us by the DfT for our Bus Service Improvement Plan to invest in infrastructure at strategic locations, relieving areas of congestion that affect buses so we can deliver better, more punctual services.

"This junction on Dereham Road can be a real pinch-point for traffic, particularly at the busiest times of the day so I'd encourage anyone who lives, works or drives through the area to take part in our consultation and share their views. Through these changes, along with funding for additional and extended services, the current £2 fare cap and zero-emission buses, we hope that more people will choose the bus for their everyday journeys into and around Norwich."

The deadline for comments is Thursday 22 February 2024. All responses will be carefully considered and the local county council member and cabinet member, where relevant, will then make a decision based on the feedback received.

If approved, the formal Traffic Regulation Orders will then be advertised, with construction planned towards the end of this year. The estimated cost of the project is around £700,000.

To find out more about to the proposals, including plans of the projects, and to take part in the consultation, please visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/derehamroadbuslane.

You can read more about our work on the Bus Service Improvement Plan by visiting www.norfolk.gov.uk/busstrategy.