Your questions answered
Options assessment
Why has it taken you until now to start investigating an alternative to the previous preferred option for the Norwich Western Link?
Investigating alternative options while a preferred option is being developed is not feasible as it would undermine the preferred option. Therefore, there was no opportunity to undertake this work before the planning application was withdrawn and agreement on the next steps was reached with the Department for Transport.
How will you work with Natural England to assess options for a Norwich Western Link?
Input from Natural England into our options assessment work will be key, to give us confidence that any options that are shortlisted are likely to be acceptable to them. Our discussions with Natural England are ongoing and we hope to continue that engagement throughout the option appraisal process.
How likely is it that an effective solution to the traffic problems to the west of Norwich can be delivered, in light of the environmental sensitivities in that area?
We need to carry out the options assessment work to understand what transport interventions we could potentially deliver and how effective they are likely to be. Input from Natural England into this work will be key, to give us confidence that any options that are shortlisted are likely to be acceptable to them.
If the assessment work or discussions with Natural England suggest we are unlikely to be able to deliver an effective solution, this will be reported back to cabinet as soon as possible.
What area will you be focusing on for the options you'll be considering?
The study area is the same as the one used when we previously considered potential options for a Norwich Western Link in 2018. It is a broad area that includes the key radial routes of the A47 trunk road, A1074 Dereham Road and the A1067 Drayton High Road/Fakenham Road.
Will you be talking to local residents to get their views before you come up with a shortlist of options?
Yes, we have asked for input from local parish council representatives which we are considering in our options assessment work.
When will the public consultation on the shortlist of options be held?
We'll provide an update on the expected timing of the public consultation once we have completed more of the options assessment work and had further discussions with Natural England.
If no road options are considered viable, will you consult on non-road-based options only?
If non-road options are assessed as being effective when measured against the project objectives and other criteria, they could be shortlisted.
Will packages of measures be considered in the options assessment?
Yes. For example, any road-based solutions - whether new routes or improvements to the existing road network - that are considered viable will also include consideration of in-combination public transport and active travel measures.
What information that you have gained from previous work on the project will be used in this options assessment?
The original options assessment work will be revisited. The original longlist of options will be reconsidered and updated prior to the options assessment process. We have gained significant information about the area from the surveys carried out to date, more than would normally be considered at this options assessment stage.
What process will you go through to generate and review options?
We will follow relevant Department for Transport guidance, which sets out the steps in the process for generating and reviewing options. View the guidance on GOV.UK.
How will this work be funded?
The Department for Transport have agreed in principle and subject to the completion of their processes to funding of £960k, or two-thirds of the overall estimated cost of £1.43 million of the options assessment work. The remaining costs will be funded by Norfolk County Council.
Should you be continuing work on the project at all, given the impending changes to local government arrangements?
We have a responsibility to the local communities, businesses and people who regularly travel through the area to try to tackle the traffic problems to the west of Norwich, which are projected to get worse.
Local government reorganisation and devolution are identified as potential risks on the project risk register, and these risks will continue to be monitored as more becomes known about both processes.
Timescales
When do you expect to be able to recommend a preferred option for the Norwich Western Link?
We plan to update our cabinet on the outcome of our options assessment work, including our public consultation, and discussions with Natural England in 2026. Subject to the outcome of this work and these discussions, we hope to be in a position to recommend a preferred option at this time.
When do you expect to be able to deliver the proposed option?
This will depend on identifying a preferred option, and what that option is. Once we have a preferred option agreed, we will be able to put together an estimated delivery timetable for the project.
Local traffic mitigation
Given there is currently no timescale for when a new preferred option for a Norwich Western Link could be delivered, are you doing anything to help tackle the traffic issues in the meantime?
We have been and are continuing to implement some smaller-scale measures which may provide some relief to affected communities, but a larger-scale intervention is needed to make a significant difference. You can read more about these smaller scale measures in the July 2025 cabinet report, from p13 onwards.
National Highways' A47 upgrade between North Tuddenham and Easton will reduce the number of junctions the A47 has with the local road network and put more pressure on the remaining routes. What is being done to mitigate the impact of this change?
We have been working with local community representatives to develop measures that are designed to mitigate the impacts of the dualling of the A47. More details on this can be found in the July 2025 cabinet report, on p13 and 14.
You aren't going ahead with physical calming measures in Felthorpe and south of the A47 now. Why not, when you acknowledge there are significant traffic issues to the west of Norwich?
The physical calming measures in Felthorpe and south of the A47 were specifically to mitigate potential changes to the way traffic used the local road network once the Norwich Western Link introduced. Their delivery was always dependent on the previous preferred route receiving Full Business Case approval, which was never achieved.
