Rackheath residents and workers set to benefit from an enhanced bus service

Residents living or working between Rackheath and Norwich are the latest to benefit from enhanced bus services thanks to money received from the Department for Transport (DfT) to improve bus services across the County.

From Monday 15 April, Konectbus will launch its 'City 5' route which will run between Rackheath and Norwich City Centre via Salhouse Road as an enhancement to their current 5B service. This will provide Rackheath with an improved overall service, serving new housing developments in Rackheath and along Salhouse Road as well as parts of Rackheath village currently unserved.

This Monday to Saturday service will run up to every 60 minutes with the first bus from Rackheath at 6:45am and the last bus departing Norwich at 6:10pm.

The timetable of the 5B will also change following a general review of the current service and will continue to provide evening and Sunday services with the last weekday bus from Norwich at 22:00.

The City5 takes a more direct route, something highlighted in discussions with Rackheath Parish Council as an item raised by bus users, meaning that residents of Rackheath can access the heart of the city centre within half an hour, including the Tombland area. This creates alternative opportunities for residents to travel into work, school or college, or to access leisure facilities car-free.

The route also creates an opportunity for city residents to leave the car at home to access Rackheath's businesses and industrial estates as well as businesses on route like those on Salhouse Road. This enhances accessibility for the area, and an opportunity for more sustainable travel.

City 5 will operate along Gurney Road providing access to Mousehold Heath as well as serving Barrack Street which currently has no service.

Cllr Graham Plant, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "Regular and affordable bus services into our urban areas is key to getting more people to choose the bus for everyday trips and commuting. This new service gives the growing population of Rackheath more travel choice and with the £2 fare cap still running until at least the end of 2024 it's great value too."

This is one of a number of service enhancements which are being funded by the £49.55 million funding which Norfolk County Council was successful in securing from the Department for Transport (DfT) to use on improving bus services across the County over the next three years.

Approximately £12 million of the funding has been allocated to provide new or expanded bus routes and increase service frequencies on key routes, including more evening and weekend services.

Gavin Smith, Konectbus' Managing Director said, "Konectbus is keen to offer solutions to groups who may otherwise have to rely on others for lifts. With a growing number of young families in the Rackheath area we hope this enhanced service will encourage young people to opt for the bus even when they have the possibility of driving in future."

Fran Whymark, county councillor for Rackheath said, "With the current expansion of nearby residential areas we have more and more people who need travel options to enable them to leave the car at home. This enhancement to our local bus service will be a fantastic addition to the area and I'm sure it will be well used by local residents."

For more details, visit the Konectbus website.