Construction of new airport link road to commence next week

Norfolk County Council will begin construction next week on a new, direct and convenient connection between Norwich Airport and the nearby industrial estate.

The scheme due to start on Monday 28 July will deliver a new link by upgrading and widening Liberator Road to enable two-way pedestrian, cycle and bus travel.

Councillor Graham Plant, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport at Norfolk County Council said:

"This scheme will significantly improve access to the airport, the International Aviation Academy and the industrial estate. It will also help people to choose more sustainable modes of transport when they travel to and from the area."

The Airport Industrial Estate currently has no direct public transport connection to Norwich Airport. The new link road will help to improve bus services serving this area coming from the east and southeast of the city.

Those walking and cycling will also benefit from a new and direct route connecting the airport site and a key missing link to the Yellow Pedalway route which connects the city centre to Horsford and Horsham St Faiths.

Richard Pace, Managing Director at Norwich Airport, said: "Strong surface transport links are vital to any airport and we welcome the start of this important infrastructure project. It will enhance connectivity by public transport, on foot and by bike, not just for the airport but also local businesses and the wider community."

The scheme is expected to cost £925,000 to deliver and take around eight months to complete with all works being funded from the £32m Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) awarded to Norwich by The Department for Transport (DfT).

Works include upgrading the existing carriageway and footways at either end of the scheme, construction of a new 420m footway along the length of the route, along with new street lighting, landscaping and automated barriers to ensure that only buses and authorised vehicles can access the new road.

The work will be carried out in three separate phases, starting from the airport terminal end and working towards Spitfire Road. 

Due to the scheme's location there will be minimal impact for general traffic.

Find further details via the public information notice (PDF, 175 KB)