Dereham Road (A1074) bus lane near Grapes Hill junction
Start: Monday 6 January 2025
Expected completion: February 2025
Norfolk County Council recently asked for feedback on proposed changes on the approach to the Dereham Road and Grapes Hill junction in Norwich.
Overview
This project is part of a series of improvements we're making in the city, aimed at improving bus journey times and reliability of services across our public transport network. We're using funding awarded to us by the Department for Transport for our Bus Service Improvement Plan to invest in infrastructure at strategic locations, relieving specific areas of congestion that affect buses so we can deliver better, more punctual services. Through these changes, along with funding for additional and extended services, the current £2 (£3 from 1 January 2025) fare cap and zero-emission buses, we hope that more people will choose the bus for their everyday journeys into and around Norwich.
This scheme is making changes to Dereham Road on its approach to its junction with Grapes Hill. It is designed to create more space for buses and general traffic to help relieve congestion, which currently can cause delays for all road users. Once delivered it will improve journey times for all those using the junction, helping to improve reliability for bus services in the process.
Consultation
The consultation is now closed.
A public consultation on the draft proposal was publicised in February 2024 and ran for 3 weeks.
View the original consultation material
The overall aims and individual elements of the proposal all received an overall majority of support with the exception of the proposed removal of the central reservation. Removal of the central reservation is critical to the project in order to create the necessary additional width to widen the carriageway lanes and cannot be retained. The new arrangement will encourage all pedestrians to cross via the safer designated crossings.
The lack of dedicated cycling facilities was also raised however funding allocated for this proposal is focused on improvements for buses. No existing cycle facilities are being removed and a dedicated safe off carriageway cycle route into the city is available close by via West Pottergate.
The formal Traffic Regulation Orders needed to deliver the project were advertised in June 2024.
View the Traffic Regulation Orders
This webpage will be kept up to date with the latest progress and information.
Background
The Department for Transport (DfT) has awarded the county council nearly £50m of funding for its Bus Service Improvement Plan, aimed at improving bus services and infrastructure facilities across the county. The plan includes measures such as integrated travel hubs, new and more frequent services and bus priority infrastructure schemes such as this project at the Dereham Road and Grapes Hill junction.
You can read more about our work on the Bus Service Improvement Plan by visiting www.norfolk.gov.uk/busstrategy.
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