Councillors express fears for finances if Norwich Western Link road fails
They worry that budgets for essential services could be raided if the government doesn't contibute towards the new road
Last updated 21st Feb 2023
Opposition councillors in Norfolk have expressed fears that budgets for essential services could be raided if major road projects like the Norwich Western Link (NWL) fail.
Senior councillors have admitted that County Hall has no financial plans in place if the controversial development does not get the go-ahead from the government after concerns were raised by opposition councillors.
Steve Morphew, the leader of the Labour group, said that the authority would have to cover around £30m if the NWL project fails, which opposition leaders say Norfolk County Council does not have the financial reserves to cover.
But Conservative cabinet member Andrew Jamieson said the council did not need a policy for failure because the authority believes it will be built and it could look to reserves if needed.
What is the Norwich Western Link?
The NWL is a 3.9mile road scheme that would connect the Northern Distributor Road (NDR) to the A47 west of Norwich.
It is currently anticipated to cost about £251m, with the council expecting to cover around £37.7m if it goes through.
Speaking in his position as chair of the scrutiny committee, Mr Morphew questioned what mitigation had been put in place to ensure frontline services are protected if it is rejected.
He said: “If we are going to prepare against a risk, shouldn’t we know where that money is going to come from, so we can actually prepare?”
Andrew Jamieson, cabinet member for finance, said the council would have to “reprioritise” various savings pots, including its general reserves, and instruct departments to find savings. The general reserves currently hold around £26m and would have to be replenished.
Mr Jamieson added: “We don’t have some policy on what would happen if the West Winch bypass in King’s Lynn fails because we believe it will be built, the same applies to the Norwich Western Link.”
Simon George, director of finance, said the council was a “big beast and we are used to taking knocks” and it would find savings as it has done previously.