10 locations set to benefit from £3m funding to improve local cycling and walking routes

Norfolk County Council has been successful in securing almost £3m funding from Active Travel England for the development of schemes to improve cycling and walking infrastructure across the county.

The money comes from the £200m Active Travel Fund 4 (ATF4) investment which aims to help local authorities in England design, develop and consult on high-quality active travel schemes.

Cllr Lana Hempsall Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport, said; "Having the right infrastructure in place is key to allowing people to cycle and walk more often in their local area. This funding will see some key improvements in 10 locations across the county to help people to leave the car at home and travel in ways that are more affordable and more sustainable - which is vital in us achieving our ambitious net-zero targets. By developing the right solutions in the right locations, we can maximise the uptake of active travel which in addition to improving the air quality for everyone will also improve the health and wellbeing of those able to walk, cycle or wheel more often."

Active Travel England have awarded funds for 8 schemes totalling £2.24m as well as an extra £739k to support 3 schemes previously submitted in the Active Travel Fund 3 submission last year.

The ATF4 funding will be used on the following infrastructure improvements:

• Dereham - B1146 Quebec Road (Pedestrian crossing)
• Fleggburgh - A1064 Main Road (Pedestrian Crossing)
• Brundall - The Street (Pedestrian Crossing)
• Hethersett - Back Lane (Pedestrian Crossing)
• Kings Lynn - A1078 Edward Benefer Way (Pedestrian Crossing)
• Sandringham - A149 Queen Elizabeth Way (Larger pedestrian/ cycle refuge)
• Old Hunstanton A149 (Shared use cycle lane)
• Thorpe St Andrew - A1042 Ring Road (Mandatory cycle lane)

Additional funding received for these currently being progressed:

• Gt Yarmouth - B1370 Middleton Rd (Mandatory cycle lane)
• Norwich - Mile Cross Rd A1024 (Mandatory cycle lane)
• Gt Yarmouth - Jellicoe Road (Mandatory cycle lane)

All schemes will all be complete by the end of March 2025

National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman added: "By giving millions of people the freedom of choice to walk, wheel or cycle for everyday trips, this funding will help us improve public health, tackle climate change and give hundreds of thousands of children the independence to travel safely under their own steam.

"Now our focus is working with councils to get these schemes built swiftly. We'll be working together to ensure the projects are well designed and effective, so that they bring maximum benefits to communities and help improve lives nationwide."