New walking and cycling links proposed for local college

Norfolk County Council are asking for feedback on proposals to improve access around a local Sixth Form College in Gorleston to enable more people to walk, wheel or cycle.

The proposed improvements would provide safer cycling facilities between Middleton Road and East Norfolk Sixth Form College as well as introducing a number of improved safe crossings for those on foot.

Cllr Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport and local ward councillor for the area said: "Local students have campaigned for these improvements and we have worked with the college and borough council to develop proposals which will provide a safer environment for everyone using the area.

"Regardless of whether you're a student or how you like to travel, we'd like anyone who lives locally or regularly passes through the area around the college to share their views. The feedback we receive will be carefully considered and provide valuable information as we shape the final proposed design for the project.

"This scheme will also link in with another series of proposed active travel improvements currently under development for Middleton Road, which provides a key link between north and south Gorleston."

The proposals include a wide shared use pavement along the college side of Church Lane, with two new zebra crossings and a parallel crossing on the northern end of Middleton Road.

All information relating to the public consultation can be viewed at www.norfolk.gov.uk/churchlane where there is also a short online survey to complete.

Large copies of the plans are also available to view and takeaway from Gorleston Library.

The deadline for responses is Monday 26 May.

Dr Catherine Richards, Principal at East Norfolk Sixth Form College said: "East Norfolk Sixth Form students and staff have been delighted to work with the two local council's on this project. Making local roads safer for our students and our community is really important to us. We are proud of the way our students have communicated their thoughts and ideas in this process and hope to see the improvements in place soon."

This project was identified as a priority scheme in the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for Gorleston (consulted on in July 2021) and is supported by East Norfolk Sixth Form and Great Yarmouth Borough Council.  

The budget for the scheme is £735,000 which would be funded by the Governments Active Travel Fund.