Sprowston Road

We have been awarded funding through the Transforming Cities to transform Sprowston Road into a more accessible and safer space for everyone. In partnership with Sustrans , we are working closely with the local community, businesses and key stakeholders to understand local issues and opportunities and develop potential changes to Sprowston Road and nearby roads that will ensure it is an area with good air quality, where buses run on time and where it is convenient and safe for people to walk and cycle.

What have we done so far

In November 2021, we launched an online survey about Sprowston Road and the surrounding area. The survey ran between 22 November and 19 December and asked what people's perceptions of the area were, and about what improvements they would like to see. To publicise the survey, we sent a mailout to over 1,500 households. We installed two large community engagement boards, put up posters on lamp columns, railings and bus stands, and left leaflets at local businesses. In addition we ran an event at Silver Road Community Centre, where over 40 residents shared their views with us; and we ran several on street pop-events on Sprowston Road and at local schools. We recently ran an accessibility audit, where we invited groups representing disabled people to travel up Sprowston Road with us to discuss the environment in relation to their access needs.

What you told us about Sprowston Road and the surrounding area

989 of you responded to the survey. The results of which are summarised below.

Perceptions of the area:

51% agreed or strongly agreed that there was a good bus service
38% agreed or strongly agreed that they felt safe with regard to personal safety (crime)
80% disagreed or strongly disagreed that there's not a lot traffic in the area
65% disagreed or strongly disagreed that there are enough plants and trees
57% disagreed or strongly disagreed that it's a pleasant place to cycle

Improvements:

59% said more plants and greenery was a high priority for you
52% said new/safer crossings were a high priority for you
51% said stopping pavement parking was a high priority for you
51% said this slowing down traffic was a high priority for you

Email transportfornorwich@norfolk.gov.uk for a copy of the full report. Alternative formats are also available on request.

What happens next?

We are now asking residents for further input on the development of proposals for Sprowston Road and the surrounding area. We would like to invite you to two collaborative design sessions. The sessions will take place at Silver Road Community Centre (36 Silver Rd, Norwich NR3 4TB) on:

Monday 7 March, 4-6.45pm
Tuesday 8 March, 4-6.45pm

You can drop-in at any time during these sessions and stay for as long as you please. At the sessions we will discuss the survey findings, share some examples of best practice design from around the UK, and work with you to create some design options for the area.

These design options will then be tested and further refined before going to a consultation process later in 2022.

We'll keep this page updated with all the latest information about the project.

Background

The Department for Transport (DfT) has awarded £32m of funding to Transport for Norwich (TfN) from the Transforming Cities Fund to deliver a range of schemes across Greater Norwich. These projects aim to improve access to jobs, training and retail by supporting improvements to sustainable modes of transport, while also responding to issues around air quality. More information about our application to the DfT and all the proposed schemes can be found at www.norfolk.gov.uk/transformingcities. You can also read more about previous, current and future TfN projects by visiting www.norfolk.gov.uk/tfn.

As part of this funding, Norfolk County Council has been awarded money to transform Sprowston Road into a more accessible and safer space for everyone.