Government pledges to look at 'alternatives' to Western Link
Norwich South MP Clive Lewis has previously described the project as a council 'vanity project'
The future of the Norwich Western Link is growing increasingly uncertain as the government has pledged to explore “alternatives”.
Labour ministers will look at various options to replace the controversial £274m road, which is proposed to connect the Norwich Northern Distributor Road to the A47 near Honingham, west of Norwich.
County Hall leaders are already facing mounting pressure for the decision on the 3.9-mile road to be handed over to the government.
Campaigners want ministers to have the final say on whether the project goes ahead.
Louise Haigh, the transport secretary, is now set to meet with Norwich South MP Clive Lewis to discuss “more cost-effective and ecological sound alternatives” to the road.
Mr Lewis described the Western Link as a “vanity project” of Conservative-run Norfolk County Council and said it was an “environmental and financial disaster”.
“I’m hopeful that the minister will see the opportunities for better public transport here,” he added.
“Improving Norfolk’s transport infrastructure is a priority"
The Western Link has had issues at every turn and has lately faced uncertainty due to the discovery of rare barbastelle bats on the proposed route, meaning the project may not obtain an essential licence from Natural England to be built.
The Department for Transport (DfT) last year committed £213m towards the Norwich Western Link.
While County Hall hoped this would be increased to £251m, the government failed to confirm extra cash before the election was called.
Kay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “Improving Norfolk’s transport infrastructure is a priority for this council and creating a new stretch of dual carriageway road in the form of the Norwich Western Link is the best solution to the traffic congestion that’s clogging up local roads to the west of Norwich.
“This is traffic congestion that’s having significant knock-on impacts on local residents, businesses and people who need to travel through that area.
“The planning application for the project was submitted this spring and is being consulted on until August 19. I would encourage anyone interested in the Norwich Western Link to look through the planning application documents which contain a wealth of information on our proposals, including the reasons why we believe this link road needs to be built.”