County Council bids to support active travel and public realm improvements in King's Lynn

Norfolk County Council's Cabinet is to receive an update on a project designed to support walking and cycling in King's Lynn and provide an improved public space on Baxter's Plain around the new Multi-User Community Hub, which is due to open later this year.

The King's Lynn Sustainable Transport and Regeneration Scheme (STARS) will provide better, more direct links for walking and cycling between key areas of the town and encourage more people to choose these healthy modes of transport. In addition, a pedestrian-friendly environment would be created for the Baxter's Plain area including new trees and planting.

Cllr Graham Plant, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure at Norfolk County Council, said: "Our proposals will create better and safer walking and cycling links to key destinations in the town, including the railway station, bus station and the town centre, and create a more attractive and vibrant area around the new Multi User Community Hub in Baxter's Plain.

"Subject to gaining approval for the Outline Business Case, we plan to carry out a public consultation on the STARS project in 2026, when we'll be able to share further details and ask for people's feedback on the proposals.  We then hope to start construction in Spring 2027."

STARS was allocated £24.1 million of Levelling Up funding by the Government in January 2023.  Since this time increased scheme costs, and confirmation that the government contribution is a fixed amount, has meant that the scope of the scheme has been revised. The overall projected cost of the revised proposals is estimated to be £19.61 million, with a potential £17.65 million of that being sought from the Department for Transport.

Approval to submit an Outline Business Case (OBC), to secure funding for the revised STARS scheme, is needed from the Department for Transport and, if they agree, the OBC would be submitted later in 2025.

A report on STARS will be considered by Norfolk County Council's cabinet on Monday 7 July 2025. People can watch the meeting, live or afterwards, and read the reports online.